The Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (AFMLTA Inc.) is the national professional body representing teachers of all languages in Australia.
The term ‘modern’ is used for historical reasons and is not intended to exclude any language. The AFMLTA believes that there is value in all language learning and is accordingly interested in promoting the teaching and learning of any language (ancient, modern, ‘community’, Aboriginal, traditional, international, European, Asian or other).
Role and Functions
The role of the AFMLTA is to promote language learning in Australia. This role will be realised through the following functions of the AFMLTA.
To provide a national voice on language learning and language teaching
To compile and distribute information on languages, language learning and language teaching
To develop the professional consciousness of language teachers
Main Activities
Provides professional leadership and advisory services at the national level
Tries to influence decisions made at the national level by lobbying, advising, and preparing submissions to politicians, committees of inquiry, government departments, industry and commerce, and wherever else appropriate
Encourages the professional development of language teachers through national conferences and workshops, especially the Biennial National Languages Conference
Publishes the national language teaching journal Babel .
State Language Teaching Associations
All Australian states have a language teacher association under the umbrella of the AFMLTA. Membership of any one of them includes the benefits of the Australian body. Other associations may affiliate with the AFMLTA under conditions outlined in the constitution.
Keep abreast of what has been happening in the AFMLTA with the latest News-In-Brief available now.
FIPLV World Congress cancelled
Unfortunately, the 2009 FIPLV World Congress, to be held in Moscow, Russia, has had to be cancelled. Please see the FIPLV website www.fiplv.org for more infomation.
What makes a good language centre?
With the government's recent push to have a number of specialist language centres built as part of the Building the Education Revolution program you may be interested in the AFMLTA's opinion of what would constitute a good centre here.
Advanced Primary Teaching Standards Project
Expressions of interest are being called from teachers wishing to be involved with Advanced Primary Teaching Standards - A national project to describe excellence in primary teaching. Further information is available here. check out the website at http://primarystandards.aamt.edu.au/
Babel Out now
The latest edition of the Federation's journal, Babel, is out now. For more details see the Journal page.
MCEETYA National Plan 2009-2012
The AFMLTA has recently provided feedback to the government's Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs Plan 2009-2012. You can read what we said here.