Cultural understanding key to language learning
by Lisa McDonald
A fresh approach to learning is benefitting language students across Australia
A $2.2million Federal Government languages project, developed and managed by Associate Professor Angela Scarino and Professor Tony Liddicoat from UniSA Research Centre for Languages and Cultures - and the largest to be funded in Australia - is currently being rolled out in classrooms nationally.
The Intercultural Language Teaching and Learning in Practice (ILTLP) project extends primary and secondary teachers’ understanding of and engagement with intercultural language learning by exploring the relationship between languages and culture. This is a move away from the traditional focus on words, text and structure in language teaching, to more student-centred teaching.
Professor Tony Liddicoat said intercultural language teaching explores the personal meanings that students attach to what is being taught.
"From this, they form their own understanding and judgement," he said.
"Language can be seen as the tool, but the cultural meanings behind the language also need to be explored."
Providing teachers with knowledge and under-standing of intercultural language learning has been shown to directly enhance student engagement with language learning.
The project, which has brought together language teachers from all education sectors, is part of a wider government strategy to increase language teaching and learning across Australian schools.
The ILTLP project commenced with school-based research throughout Australia, with a review of current practices and assessment methods.
It then developed programming and assessment processes encompassing intercultural language learning.
Professional learning resources and processes were then established to support the program.
"The ILTLP program will turn on its head the way that languages are being taught and learnt in our schools," Prof Liddicoat said.
"It will create vastly improved learning experiences for Australian language students. In addition to over 400 teachers directly participating in the program, many others are independently applying its learning resources."
It is envisaged that in the future, the principles of ILTLP will be firmly grounded in classroom practice across Australia.
The two-year project was commissioned and funded by the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program.