Tēnā koutou! 你好! 안녕하세요 Kia orana! Bonjour! Guten Tag! こんにちは。Salvete! Faka’alofa lahi atu! Talofa lava! ¡Buenos días! Mālō e lelei! Malo ni!
Kia ora koutou,
We hope you have had a good break over the holidays and that Term 2 begins well. As usual there are plenty of things keeping everyone busy in Term 2. We are very excited about the 50th Anniversary NZALT conference at the beginning of July. There are many overseas people coming too and it will be a fabulous celebration of Learning Languages.
This Newsletter contains important information and key dates about upcoming events, openings in the NZALT Exec roles, and the current situation
Please keep in touch. We are here to support language teachers in whichever ways we can.
Ngā mihi nui,
The NZALT Team
Focus for this Newsletter:
In this newsletter you will find information about:
- NCEA changes
- NZALT Regional Cluster Dates
- NZALT Student Competition 2024
- NZALT AGM and Executive roles
- NZALT NCEA Level 1 marking days
- Termly drop in zooms for HoFs/HoDs
- Language Association Meetings
- NZALT Membership update
- Japanese immersion opportunity for Years 12-13 students (28-30 June)
NCEA changes
You will be aware there have been many changes to NCEA with the introduction of the new Level 2 and 3 standards now on hold until the curriculum has been re-written. We do not yet know what this means for Learning Languages. NZALT has written to the new Minister of Education requesting a meeting to discuss the importance and benefits of learning languages within the New Zealand Curriculum. NZALT is also in close contact with the MoE and NZQA and we will keep you updated with any news.
NZALT Regional Cluster Dates
NZALT clusters are regional networks of support for language teachers where you can meet with other language teachers in your area to share experience, ideas, resources, and moderation. Afternoon tea is provided, and petrol costs are able to be covered if you need to travel further afield to attend the cluster.
If you would like to facilitate a cluster group in your area, please contact Juliet Kennedy to find out more. For further information on existing NZALT clusters and to get in touch with your local NZALT cluster leader, please visit our website.
We will update our website with the cluster dates and details as they are confirmed.
Upcoming clusters:
Auckland
- Wednesday 12th June, 4pm
- Takapuna Grammar School
- Facilitator: Jack Chapman
Hawkes Bay
- Thursday 23rd May, 4pm
- Karamu High School
- Facilitator: Anita Vennell
Manawatu-Whanganui
Wellington
- Thursday 6th June, 4pm
- Samuel Marsden Collegiate
- Facilitator: Juliet Kennedy
Canterbury
- Thursday 13th June, 3:30pm
- Papanui High School
South Canterbury
Southland-Invercargill
- Wednesday 8th May, 3:45pm
- James Hargest College, usual room (B4)
- Facilitator: Karen Thomson
NZALT Student Competition 2024
This year’s NZALT competition is a collaborative class competition for students in Years 7 - 10. Classes are asked to submit a 2-3 minute film in the target language that includes the phrase “Really?!” in the target language for a chance to win a prize for your class.
This competition is only open to students whose teachers are current NZALT members.
Prizes: The best film in each year level (7, 8, 9, and 10) will receive a $150 class prize.
We ask that schools select the best entry in each category and share it with the completed media consent form with the NZALT Secretary no later than Thursday, 4 July.
Download the competition poster for your classroom here.
NZALT AGM and Executive roles
The NZALT AGM will be held at the Auckland Conference in July. If you have any questions about the AGM or agenda items you would like to bring up please contact Jo Hawes before 31st May.
Juliet Kennedy will serve another year in her role as president as part of the two-year tenure. Annabelle Sinclair has agreed to serve as Senior Vice President for another year. Tofilau Niulevaea Dr Siliva Gaugatao and Lata Langi will also stay on as our Pacific advisors.
Martin East and Jo Hawes will be stepping down from their respective NZALT Exec roles as treasurer and secretary at the AGM at the Auckland conference in July. We have already received nominations for the NZALT Treasurer and Secretary. If you would like to put forward another nomination for either of these roles, please contact Jo Hawes at before 31st May.
We are keen to grow our executive in order to reflect our community and would like to hear from anyone interested in supporting the NZALT Exec (either in an advisory role or as an Exec member) from the following backgrounds:
- Te Reo Māori
- Tertiary institutions
- Primary schools
- ECE
In addition, we would like to grow our social media presence and would like to have someone to support us who has expertise in this area.
If you are interested in further supporting the NZALT Executive in an advisory role or as an Exec member, please get in touch with Juliet Kennedy to find out more.
NZALT NCEA Level 1 marking days
NZALT is able to run a day for teachers to get together to unpack and mark the first iteration of the new NCEA Level 1 standards. So far we have two confirmed marking days:
Invercargill: 4th July
Hawkes Bay: 26th July
For more information, registration and posters, visit our website.
Other regions are in the process of organising a marking day and details of these days will be updated on our website and also sent out through local NZALT cluster networks.
Please get in touch with Juliet if you would like to host a marking day in your region.
Termly drop in zooms for HoFs/HoDs
Annabelle Sinclair is running a termly drop in zoom for HoFs/HoDs/ HOLA. This forum is a chance to share and troubleshoot specific HoF/HoD issues.
This zoom will be held on Wednesday 29th May at 4pm. The link for the meeting invite is here.
Language Association Meetings
Annabelle Sinclair will be running a zoom session to connect with individual language associations to look at how we can work more together.
This will be run on Tuesday 28th May at 4pm. The link for the meeting invite is here.
NZALT Membership update
This is a reminder about your 2024 NZALT membership invoices. There are still some outstanding invoices, some of which were sent out on February 1. If you were expecting an invoice, check your spam folder or log into your NZALT profile to see your invoice.
Please make sure your profile is kept up-to-date with your current email address and school so invoices arrive in the right place and event registrations can be done through our website.
When moving schools, your NZALT profile will not be deleted - you just need to update your email address and school.
For questions please email membership@nzalt.org.nz
Many thanks!
Japanese immersion opportunity for Years 12-13 students (28-30 June 2024)
The North Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE) is offering ten year 12 and 13 students of the Japanese language the opportunity to participate in a Japanese Language and Culture Immersion Weekend. As part of the weekend programme students will partake in immersive activities incorporating Japan - New Zealand history, language activities, and the rewards and benefits of studying Japanese.
For more information and the registration, visit our website.
Posting Notices
If you would like to post any notices in our newsletter or on our website please contact Juliet Kennedy.
NZALT Networks of Expertise Newsletter, Number 3, May 2024
