Languages learning area news

Check in here regularly for news related to subjects in the Languages learning area.

Free webinars for early career and returning P-10 Languages teachers

27 February 2020

The QCAA is pleased to offer a series of webinars exploring the intent and structure of each of the eight P–10 Australian Curriculum (AC) learning areas including Languages.

For teachers beginning their careers, or returning to the Languages classroom, these webinars provide an opportunity to:

• investigate important features that support alignment of curriculum with classroom practice
• gain confidence in applying the common language of the curriculum to plan successful teaching and learning programs
• identify and unpack the cognitive verbs in the P–10 Australian Curriculum
• explore the selection and use of relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving, and critical and creative thinking.

This professional development activity has relevance to elements of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: two, three and six. In particular these webinars align with the following APST Focus areas:

• 2.2 Content selection and organisation
• 2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting
• 3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs
• 3.3 Use teaching strategies.

Webinars for Languages are on Wednesday 4 March and Thursday 12 March.

For more information and to register for these free webinars please visit the QCAA PD and Events page.

Heads of Department Networking forums

3 February 2020

To support schools to implement the new Languages syllabuses, QCAA is inviting Languages Heads of Department to networking forums across the state, starting in February.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• discuss approaches to implementation of the 2019 syllabuses
• develop and maintain collegial relationships with other Heads of Department
• strengthen local professional networks
• share ideas about best practice.

Places at each venue are limited so we ask that schools send only one Head of Department for the Languages Learning Area.

For those who cannot attend in person, QCAA is also hosting webinar in March.

To register, please discuss with your school’s Principal’s delegate.

Preparing for endorsement event 2

15 January 2020

Schools are reminded that submissions for the second endorsement event are due by 5.00pm on Friday 31 January 2020. Assessments must be submitted via the Endorsement application in the QCAA Portal.

The QCAA has developed a wide range of resources to help schools develop and submit assessment for endorsement. These can be accessed via the QCAA Portal > Noticeboard > Developing and submitting assessment for endorsement — support resources. They include a resource for schools on the lessons learned from the first endorsement event.

Subject specific information is also available via the QCAA Portal > Syllabuses application. Select the Units 3 and 4 tab to access the endorsement submission information and quality assurance tools for each instrument.

Top tips for getting assessment endorsed

• Alignment: Ensure assessment instruments match syllabus topics, subject matter, and assessment objectives or specifications.
• Authenticity: Ensure assessment instruments are constructed so that students have an opportunity to provide unique responses. QCAA-developed sample assessments are in the public domain and cannot be submitted by schools for endorsement.
• Scope and scale: Be aware of the syllabus conditions (word length and time) to ensure that students can complete the assessment in sufficient depth to demonstrate the range of performance levels. Consider whether qualifiers such as ‘thorough’ or ‘concise’ analysis can be demonstrated within the word length or time constraint.
• Language: Use language that is clear, direct and accessible to students. Proofread to ensure there are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.

Key contacts

• Endorsement application access and user roles: email clientservices@qcaa.qld.edu.au or phone (07) 3864 0278.
• Using the endorsement application: email qau@qcaa.qld.edu.au, or phone (07) 3864 0375 or (07) 3120 6150.
• Subject-specific knowledge or instrument/item construction: contact the relevant learning area.

Teachers of German, German Extension and Japanese: Become a QCAA assessor (endorsement)

27 November 2019

The QCAA is seeking applications from experienced teachers in German, German Extension and Japanese for QCAA assessor (endorsement) roles.

In the new QCE system, endorsement is the quality assurance process that ensures the quality and comparability of internal assessments.

Endorsers will:

• contribute to an important quality assurance process in the new QCE system
• gain first-hand experience of the endorsement process so they can inform their school’s approach to developing assessment
• increase their understanding of the new syllabuses and assessment specifications
• be able to record their training as continuing professional development with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
• network with like-minded colleagues in their local area and from across Queensland at endorsement events.

Applications close on Friday 13 December 2019.

For more information and to apply, visit QCAA assessors.

Become a QCAA assessor (confirmation)

27 September 2019

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is seeking applications from experienced teachers across all General and General (Extension) subjects for QCAA assessor (confirmation) roles.

In the new QCE system, confirmation is the process that examines the accuracy and consistency of teachers’ judgments about students’ responses to summative internal assessment instruments.

The QCAA employs and trains QCAA assessors (confirmation) to review student responses to summative internal assessment and make decisions about alignment between schools’ judgments and the ISMGs.

Confirmers will:

• contribute to an important quality assurance process in the new QCE system
• gain first-hand experience of the confirmation process so they can inform their school’s approach to assessment
• increase their understanding of the new syllabuses and instrument-specific marking guides
• be able to record their training as continuing professional development with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
• network with like-minded colleagues in their local area and from across Queensland at confirmation events.

Applications close on Friday 11 October 2019.

For more information and to apply, visit QCAA assessors.

State library research resources

9 September 2019

The state library provides access to a research librarian who can:

• assist you with identifying and searching resources for your topic
• if appropriate, refer you to other resources or organisations to find what you need
• research your topic for up to one hour free of charge (with a maximum of six enquiries per calendar year per client). They will provide a response within 10 working days.

For more information, visit the State Library of Queensland website.

Professional development opportunities in Term 3

18 July 2019

Languages Head of Department (HOD) forums

During Term 3, the QCAA will host forums for Languages HODs to:

• discuss endorsement processes and mock external assessments
• examine approaches to implementation of the 2019 syllabuses
• share ideas about best practice
• network with other HODs.

The table below contains details of the forums. HODs should contact their local QCAA district coordinator to register.