Presented as part of the ANU Language Teaching Forum.

At so many levels, schooling in Australia could benefit from linguistically informed advice, particularly where education is delivered in linguistically complex contexts. The question is whether linguists are prepared for the nature of the very particular “site” of schools which have their own culture, knowledge sets and practices. In this presentation, the school domain is viewed through the lens of the linguist to draw out the existing tensions. Specific reference is made to language in education policy, language ecologies and school data, and the role of language in teaching and assessment in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. The ramifications for linguists and for teachers/administrators are shown to be manifold, with deep and respectful engagement on the part of linguists being the recommended way forward.

The Language Teaching Forum aims to provide a discussion platform for language teachers and researchers across ANU colleges. Its main objective is to enhance the exchange of research and new approaches in language education. The forum is open to interested people from outside the university such as school teachers and teachers from community schools.

The LTF is held on the first Wednesday of each month, 4.15-5.15pm followed by drinks and nibbles.

The forum is jointly coordinated by:

• Dr Gabriele Schmidt, School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, CASS
• Dr Duck-Young Lee, School of Culture, History & Language, CAP
• Ms France Meyer, Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies, CASS