During the holidays we received this request from the MoE who are looking for people to be reviewers of the new draft curriculum for learning languages. If you are interested in doing this work, please read the information below and contact me before 2nd May. Apologies for the late notice but the request has only just come.

coordinator@nzalt.org.nz

Here is the information from the MoE:

The Focus Group review 

 The Focus Groups will ensure that the New Zealand Curriculum learning areas are usable and teachable in schools.   

• At the secondary level, a group will be established with subject matter experts for each learning area. During later phases of the curriculum development and review, separate focus groups may be formed for individual learning areas as required. 

• At the primary level, a separate group will be established to provide a focus on curriculum content for years 0-8. 

  The two Focus Groups will attend three onboarding and introductory sessions, one each in late-May, late-June, and mid-July 2025.  The purpose of these is provide members with an understanding of the curriculum development and design approach and how this aligns with the requirements and expected outcomes of the group. 

Group members will then meet once a month from late July to October 2025 to review curriculum content and materials as they are developed and available at each point.  These will take the form of an online or in-person meeting and will be organised for the same time each month, where possible to support planning. 

Further sessions will be organised in Term 1, 2026 to review the outcomes from wider in-class testing and consultation, and to provide an early view of the Final Curriculum content.  Teacher and Principal members of the Focus Groups will also be invited to support and participate in the in-class testing that is proposed for Term 1, 2026. 

EEP awards pay for teacher release and travel to enable teachers to visit other colleagues to gather, share and discuss ideas, pedagogy and resources for the language classroom.  These awards are funded through our Networks of Expertise (NEX) funding from the Ministry of Education.  

There are five EEP awards available in 2025.  The award covers one day of relief (TRD) to visit another teacher(s) of your language. Please note that the award must be taken over one day, not split into half days.

Teachers may also apply for funding to cover travel costs (reimbursement of petrol costs, airfares, accommodation and/or airport transfers where applicable). TRD costs may be invoiced directly to NZALT and other approved expenses will be reimbursed on receipt of proof of payment.

Priority will be given to applicants who:

• are first or second-year teachers or new to teaching a language

• are first-time HoDs/HoFs

• teach in geographically isolated areas

• teach a language which has limited resourcing

• provide a clear rationale for applying 

The deadline for 2025 EEP applications is Friday, 30 May.  The award must be used by Friday, 31 October.

Please apply for this award here.

For more information contact Annabelle Sinclair: