
Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world and there are a vast number of languages spoken and learned through a mix of methods including schools, community language schools, ethnic schools and associations, colleges and universities. At least 69 are indicated as being taught [Community Languages Australia], though there are several which dominate. Some European and Asian languages have been designated as core languages.
Indigenous Languages and the Australian Deaf Sign Language [Auslan] are addressed separately to this topic.
This page looks at Languages Other Than English learning in all states & territories. This includes programs, places including schools, government support and encouragement, national strategies and more.
Also check the LOTE Resources and the Other Languages pages for further information.
The Other Information section needs expanding. Any suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given consideration.
States & Territories
Australian Capital Territory
- Languages
Program information, links, National Plans, other sources of information including resources, associations, etc.. - LOTE - Course Framework
You must be able to log in to access this site. - Languages Other Than English Surveys
Bulletins from 1999 to 2003. PDF documents. Scroll down to find these.
New South Wales
- Board of Studies - K-6 Languages
- Board of Studies - 7-10 Languages
- Board of Studies - 11-12 Languages
Select from the alphabetical listing or the Languages section. - Languages 7-10
Basic information, related links. - Languages K-6
- Languages Methodology Online
Department of Education & Training. - Saturday School of Community Languages
Background information, locate schools, enrolment and more.
Northern Territory
- Alice Springs Language Centre
- Indigenous Languages and Culture
72 page document covering relevant information. - Languages Learning Area
Information, framework and more. - Northern Territory School of Languages
Information about this special school.
Queensland
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After Hours Ethnic Schooling [AHES]
‘Programs provide community language classes outside regular school hours’. All details provided. - Ethnic Schools Association of Queensland Inc
‘Community-based, public organisation whose members provide after hours language and cultural education for all students irrespective of their linguistic background.’ - Languages Other than English [LOTE]
Curriculum support, programs, resources, LOTE Library. - Languages Other than English [LOTE] Programs
‘Outlines a number of the programs that provide for the delivery of LOTE in Queensland’. Virtual schooling, Immersion Programs, After Hours Ethnic Schooling. -
LOTE and ICT
‘LOTE offers multiple opportunities for integration of ICT into learning’. Multiple options and assistance provided. - Queensland Studies Authority
Guidelines and Modules. Information, presentations in PDF format. - Virtual Schooling
‘New patterns of teaching students using flexible delivery strategies and a range of learning technologies’.
South Australia
- Australian Indigenous Languages
- Curriculum Services Moodle
Includes Languages component. You need to create an account to gain full access. - Ethnic Schools Association
‘The umbrella body representing 97 ethnic schools authorities teaching 48 different languages.’ - Languages and Multicultural Education
‘Learners have the opportunity to study a range of languages supported by DECS.’ - Languages
Languages Statement 2007-2011, NALSSP, schools teaching languages, - Languages Plan 2002-2007
- SACSA - Framework Learning Areas
Click Languages in the menu. - School of Languages
⁼The School of Languages is a specialist government school. Our classes are held in 18 teaching centres across the Adelaide metropolitan area. All lessons are delivered after hours, usually in the 5 to 8 time slot.’
Tasmania
- Community Languages [Tas]
‘The State Library of Tasmania holds small collections of materials in Languages Other Than English.’ - English-literacy [including LOTE]
Tasmanian curriculum information. Includes PDF files for major languages, other links. - Tasmania : LOTE
‘A core resource for teachers of LOTE [languages] in Tasmania.’. Included among the related pages are the following, many of which contain documents and further links.
- Assessing
Includes Proficiency Outcomes and How to Use the Proficiency Outcomes documents [Word].
Must be able to log in to access this site. - Intercultural Language Learning
- LOTE Literacy
- Professional Learning
- Resources
- Thinking
- Links & Contacts
Victoria
- Assessment and Reporting - LOTE
- East Melbourne Language Centre
Courses in multiple languages, workshops, corporate training and exam preparation at all levels. - Ethnic Schools Association of Victoria
‘Represents over 200 community languages schools in Victoria. Community Languages Schools provide quality languages educational and cultural maintenance programs to over 34,000 students in a range of 55 languages in Victoria’. - Languages Online
‘For students learning French, German, Indonesian or Italian.’ Notes, activities, games, assessment tasks, print activities, flashcards, video, rubric maker and more. - Learning and Teaching Support
‘Contains links to web sites, online resources and tools that provide learning and teaching support for teachers.’ - LOTE
Links to Policy, funding, support, school programs, assessment, reporting, professional learning, research, NASSP, LOTE and the Victorian Essential learning Standards. - Professional Learning
‘Information, resources and tools to help teachers with their professional learning.’ - Promoting the Benefits of Language Learning
‘A research paper outlining the benefits of learning a language based on research findings. It was commissioned by the LOTE Unit and compiled by the Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross Cultural Communication.’ - Report : Languages for Victoria’s Future
Background information and report. - VCAA - VCE Studies
Links to all language studies via an alphabetical subject listing.
Western Australia
- Languages
About languages, curriculum, assessment, reporting, support and associations. - Benefits of LOTE Learning
Listing of perceived benefits. - Community Languages [WA]
- Curriculum,
Assessment and Reporting
Includes a link to a Teaching and Learning Languages : A Guide. - Support for Teachers
Resource Centres, Language Assistants Program and Native Speaker Tuition Program. - Which Language Where ?
Find which schools teach what languages [12 priority languages included].
Other Information
Commonwealth Support
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Language Education Support
Sections on Languages Education and Additional Support, especially for Asian language education [see below, NALSAS]. - Languages Open The Door …
promotional materials, languages advocacy, Languages Champions, organisations. - NALSAS Strategy
National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools.Professional Learning, curriculum materials, reports, publications, bibliography, What’s New ? and a Links page worth visiting. - Prospects for The Future of LOTE Education in
Australia
Why Study LOTE ?, Issues, Role for the Commonwealth, Future Options. - The Asian Languages Professional Opportunities
Events, Professional Learning [study tours, exchanges, courses, conferences], leaders program, fellowships, corporate events, more.
General Sites
- Assessment of Language Competence Certificates
‘Designed to celebrate and enhance the learning of Languages in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. The program is an initiative of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, in collaboration with ACER. The skills testing program includes listening and reading comprehension tasks in a multiple choice format designed to be both challenging and to enable all students to experience success.’ - Community Languages Australia
‘Carrying out a number of crucial roles in the creation, maintenance, and profile of Australia’s over 1 000 community language schools, who provide language maintenance in 69 languages to in excess of 100 000 school age children.’ - Language Book Centre
Primary and Secondary catalogues of books for multiple languages. - LOTE & ESL Teaching Resources
Links compiled by James Cook University. Enter LOTE in the search engine. - Languages
The Learning Federation. - LOTE Links
Links in a range of directories and for several languages in particular. - MyLanguage Travel
If interested in learning a language and willing to travel overseas to do so, this could be helpful. Lists language schools in multiple countries. Considerable information for each. Fee-based, plus travel/living costs. - Subject Area Guides
Central Queensland University Library. ‘Designed to assist you in locating information for LOTE courses.’ - The LOTE Bookshop,
‘A language learner’s bookshop and teachers’ resource centre.’

