LINGUIST List 2.479

Sun 08 Sep 1991

Confs: Australian Modern Language Teachers Ass

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1. Database Admistrator, Australian Modern Language Teachers Association

		THE NINTH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE
Of the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers' Associations
			(AFMLTA) Inc.
	TOWARDS LANGUAGE EXCELLENCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY
	FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOP OUTLINES
6 - 9 July 1992, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
	To be held at the Beaufort Hotel
Much progress has been made in the field of language studies in Australia
during recent years. Moves towards common national goals in education have
drawn states and territories together to discuss and make decisions about
 language related issues and to share resources. Languages and language
 learning are
increasingly featured on the political, social and economic agendas in
 Australiatoday. Nevertheless it is not yet true to say that as a nation we
 prize
mastery in languages.
The Conference aims to further recent developments in language learning and to
 reinforce the current momentum of support for languages in education,
 government, business and the general community. It will provide a forum for
 those who
have interests in the field of languages to explore the issue of language
excellence for australia, for example:
	* What does it mean to strive for language excellence - both for the
	 individual & the nation?
	* What are the consequences for not doing so?
	* What progress has been made?
	* How and where should we be directing our efforts in the future?
	* How can Australia be more active in a multilingual world?
	* What level of language skills is required by business & trade?
The Conference will focus on the 4 social goals in the National Policy on
Languages (J. Lo Bianco 1987):
	Enrichment (cultural and intellectual)
		Language learning enhances the quality of cultural and
		intellectual life in general. It develops the capacity
		to think clearly and divergently and increases mental
		flexibility; it further develops knowledge & skills in one's
		own language; it provides access to cultural, familial,
		social & economic networks.
	Economics (vocational and trade)
		Australia's trading efforts depend on the availability of
		highly skilled language speakers. Australia needs to place
		greater emphasis on development of quality language courses
		and training of interpreters and translators. As a result
		vocational opportunities for Australians will increase.
	Equality (social justice)
		The development of literacy skills, access to information in
		one's first language & opportunities to further develop one's
		first language language should be the right of all Australians.
	External (Australia's role in the world)
		The learning of languges enables Australians to participate
		fully in regional and world affairs. The dissemination of
		accurate knowledge about Australia & other countries, and vice
		versa, enhances mutual understanding. It is to Australia's
		advantage that personnel placed in other countries speak the
		language of the local group.
Plenary sessions led by experts in the field of languages will set the theme
for each day, and provide the context & issues for discussion groups, workshops
and seminars which will follow.
Those wishing to present papers or conduct workshops or panels are invited
to submit topics as soon as possible. Abstracts of papers, workshop outlines
and/or proposals for panels (of about 150 words each) should be sent, to
reach the Conference Secretariat by 13 December 1991.
For further information please phone Anne Wait, Academic Coordinator,
(089) 220-703.
If you would like to be placed on the Conference mailing list to receive
further information and a copy of the conference registration form, please
contact:
	The Secretariat
	Ninth National Languages Conference
	Language Teachers Association of the NT
	PO Box 42446
	CASUARINA NT 0811
(above taken from conference brochures)
Peter White
Information Services Manager
NLIA/LATTICE
peterwlingua.cltr.uq.oz.au