Sections
NZALT 2025 Newsletter no 5 Feedback on the New Curriculum NCEA Updates for 2026 NZQA - Level 1 NCEA Internal Assessments - 1.1 and 1.2 MoE - RAMP - NCEA Review and Maintenance Programme for all Achievement Standards Learning Languages Advocacy NZALT Conference 2026 Auckland-based celebrations for La journée des profs de français - 25th November 2026 CI Down Under Conference coming to Brisbane in January 2026 Community Languages education: New directions Online Conference, November 2025 Upcoming Cluster Dates Contact Details Posting NoticesNZALT Newsletter 2025 no 4
NZALT 2025 Newsletter no 5
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, malo ni!
The school year has flown by and there is still so much happening. With the draft curriculum newly released, we need to work together as a language teaching community more than ever. There are a lot of updates about the new draft curriculum, from the MoE and NZQA to unpack in this Newsletter as well as information about Learning Languages Advocacy, the 2026 NZALT conference and other upcoming PLD opportunities so take your time to digest it all and do keep in touch if you have further questions.
We wish you all the best for the remaining weeks of Term 4.
Kia kaha 🙂
Ngā mihi nui,
The NZALT Exec
Feedback on the New Curriculum
You are likely aware that despite a lot of hard work and advocacy, Learning Languages has not fared well in the new draft Yrs 0-10 curriculum which has been released this week. In short languages are:
- The only learning area with no requirement to be taught
- given a suggested 20 hours per year for Yrs 0-8 and 60 hours per year in Yrs 7-10
Please see the screenshots at the end of this article or check out the websites for:
Individually and collectively we must give feedback on the new draft Yrs 0-10 curriculum which has been released this week. NZALT and the 13 languages communities in the NZC are working on a collective response, but as individuals and in your own communities we really encourage you to:
- send in your own letters and feedback via the official channels (we encourage you to do this yourselves, and as departments, schools, students, parents, NZALT clusters, communities etc)
- contact influential people and contacts for support
- any other actions you think might help!
We will keep you updated with any new information as it becomes available.
Subjects that must be taught! And ...


NCEA Updates for 2026
In the following sections, there are lots of updates and supporting information for existing assessments and materials for NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3. Please take time to read through them all and do get in touch if you have questions. Many of these updates have been discussed at various webinars and cluster groups as well as via external moderator feedback this year but they are now formalised on MoE and NZQA websites. There are no changes to the competencies being assessed, but do read through the information carefully to check you are up to date with vocab lists (for French Levels 1 and 2, Japanese Level 1, German Level 3), assessment conditions, version numbers for every assessment, and support materials available.
We hope to run a webinar with representatives from the MoE and NZQA talking us through the changes in mid to late November. Please look out for details of this webinar in emails and on our website.
NZQA - Level 1 NCEA Internal Assessments - 1.1 and 1.2
We’d like to provide clarification regarding the requirement for students to refer to more than one event or experience in their responses for the 1.1 and 1.2 Achievement Standards.
To meet the standard, students must demonstrate their ability to use varied language appropriate to the context throughout their communication. This means that referencing more than one different event or experience is essential—not only to meet the plural form indicated in the standards, but also to allow students to show a range of different languages.
Further detail on this requirement is available in the NIF Webinar recordings hosted on the NZALT webpage: NCEA Language Standards - RAMP updates-20241119_123237-Meeting Recording.mp4 - Google Drive.
We encourage you to view the relevant sections for a deeper understanding:
- 1.1 Achievement Standard: Refer to timestamp 7:05
- 1.2 Achievement Standard: Refer to timestamp 9:40

There are a range of NZQA assessor support resources to help clarify this aspect of the standard on the NZQA subject specific pages. These include the National Moderators report Languages - National Moderator's Report - NZQA, a Webcast unpacking the 1.2 with regard to events or experiences Languages webcasts - NZQA, and an online module and APT on Putake the NZQA learning Management System Online courses and modules for assessors - NZQA. There are also level one examples available which exemplify the grade level and show evidence of students meeting the above criteria.
We encourage you to share this clarification and accompanying resources with your networks and teaching teams to promote consistent understanding and implementation across schools.
MoE - RAMP - NCEA Review and Maintenance Programme for all Achievement Standards
Background
Each year, the Ministry of Education undertakes an NCEA Review and Maintenance Programme (RAMP), a quality assurance process that ensures Achievement Standards and supporting assessment materials are fit for purpose.
As part of this programme, a wide range of evidence is gathered and considered, including valuable input from Subject Associations. We greatly appreciate the time and effort you and your members contributed to informing this work.
The 2025 review and maintenance has now been completed for NCEA.
A small number of subjects have updates to Achievement Standards or supporting materials. These updates are designed to improve clarity and usability for teachers, kaiako, and students. Importantly, there are no changes to the competencies being assessed. However, please note that all Conditions of Assessment have been updated for internal assessment to include clearer guidance about authenticity.
The updated Achievement Standards and supporting materials will be published in early October, allowing teachers and kaiako to engage with them during Term 4 and become familiar with any updates to their subjects.
Key Information
- Please ensure that all assessments in 2025 use the current 2025 versions of Achievement Standards and supporting materials.
- The updated versions, published as PDFs in October and marked as “Draft for planning purposes – for use in 2026”, are intended for familiarisation and planning only. These versions must not be used for assessment in 2025.
- In December 2025, NZQA will update their website with the new versions of any Achievement Standards that have been updated for use from 2026, for all three levels of NCEA.
Where can I find the RAMP updates?
To support planning for 2026, schools need to ensure they are using the correct versions of the reviewed Level 1–3 Achievement Standards. Updated materials will be published online on NCEA.education from 3 October 2025, ahead of their implementation in 2026.
Where Standards have been updated, supporting materials will also have been aligned and included alongside the Standard. Please ensure you check the most up to date versions for 2026.
Level 1 RAMP updates
- Visit NCEA.education.govt.nz and navigate to your subject as usual.
- Any updated materials will appear on the right-hand side of the subject Learning Tab as PDFs, clearly marked with the watermark: “Draft for planning purposes – for use in 2026.”
- A summary of updates will be provided to help identify what has been updated.
For Level 2 and 3 RAMP updates
- Visit NCEA.education.govt.nz and go to the NCEA Support tab.
- Look for the section titled “Level 2 and 3 RAMP materials for 2026.”
- Updated materials will be provided as PDFs, also watermarked: “Draft for planning purposes – for use in 2026.”
- A summary of updates will be provided to help identify what has been updated.
- Note, for Te Ao Haka, all updated materials will appear on the right-hand side of the subject Learning Tab, along with Level 1.
It’s exciting to announce that the updated materials for Learning Languages have just been published on NCEA.education:
Reviewed NZC Achievement Standards and assessment materials for use in 2026 | NCEA.
Summary charts of RAMP changes



Learning Languages Advocacy
With the re-writing of the New Curriculum happening this year, NZALT and other organisations have been strongly advocating for languages to take a more prominent place in schools.
As part of this advocacy campaign, The Chinese Language Week Trust and NZALT launched a report and recommendations on 1st September at Parliament. This report, Making Language Learning a Core Requirement in the New Zealand Curriculum, sets out practical steps to strengthen language teaching and halt the decline in enrolments.
The report is based on the findings and recommendations from the Language Learning for New Zealand's Future Forum, held in July 2025 in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. Delivered by the New Zealand Chinese Language Week Charitable Trust, in partnership with NZALT and the University of Auckland, the forum underscored the national importance of language learning as a driver of education performance and global competitiveness along with six key recommendations to get us back on track.
The report's key recommendation is to make second language learning a core requirement in the curriculum from Years 7-10, with 3-4 hours of weekly instruction. At the heart of our case is the issue of parity: for language learning to be placed on equal footing with every other learning area in the curriculum.
Please help us raise awareness by sharing the report across your community, school and workplace. The more people who see this, the stronger the case we can make.
You can find this report here
This advocacy campaign also included wide media coverage which highlighted the importance of learning language for our country. You can find the links to some of these articles here:
NZ language learning at crisis point; call for compulsory classes - NZ Herald
Language ‘crisis’ sparks call for compulsory study | The Post
Educators call for compulsory second-language classes | RNZ NewsLanguage Learning In New Zealand At ‘Crisis Point’ | Scoop News
Behind the Stats: The Human Cost of New Zealand’s Second Language Learning Deficit
Pacific language course launches during Tonga Language Week - The University of Auckland
NZALT Conference 2026
Planning is well underway for our 2026 Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch. You can find all information about the conference here.
Please take some time to fill out this pre-conference survey to help inform the conference committee about the PLD needs in mind. We will post further conference information on both the conference website and our website as it comes.
Immersion days will be running prior to the conference. More information will be available about these days soon.
Auckland-based celebrations for La journée des profs de français - 25th November
The Alliance Française Auckland (AFA) are celebrating "La Journée des profs de français" at the AFA on Tuesday the 25th November from 4pm to 6pm at 131 Remuera RD, Auckland. After a welcome drink, there will be a PLD session on "how to include French cinema and series in your teaching."
The event is free for secondary and primary Auckland French teachers. The AFA would like to celebrate our wonderful French teachers, and offer the opportunity to share resources and connect with French teaching colleagues.
If you would like to attend, please sign up here.
2026 CI Down Under Conference coming to Brisbane in January 2026
Dear Colleagues,
Greetings from warm and sunny Queensland! Have you heard about the 2026 CI Down Under Conference coming to Brisbane in January 2026? It is for ALL language teachers and the draft program has workshops for both beginning and experienced CI teachers, so no matter where you are on your CI journey, you will find something for you, as well as the opportunity to network and engage professionally before the start of the new school year.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS CLOSING SOON!
As the end of term draws to a close, so does 2025 spending for most institutions. Don't get caught out paying full price for the 2026 CI Down Under Conference or having your school reject your application due to budgets being closed down for the year!
Check out these great clips from two of our fabulous presenters about what to expect and how CIDU will change your life!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ik-t9DHZWk
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b7hXF4tiVr0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQDrJRh498M
Visit the MLTAQ website to register.
Community Languages education: New directions Online Conference, November 2025
The Sydney Institute of Community Languages Education (SICLE) has organised the Community Languages education: New directions Online Conference to take place over several evenings in November 2025. The latest research in the field of Languages education, including Community/Heritage Languages and TESOL will be shared.
You will hear new and experienced researchers talking about assessment, inclusivity, leadership, bilingualism, online learning, teachers’ professional learning, intercultural understanding, entrepreneurship, learner engagement, and challenges in Languages education.
These presentations are free for all teachers, pre-service teachers, researchers, lecturers and administrators.
You can find the programme here. The document includes a registration link. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Upcoming 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, please visit our website.
Palmerston North
- Wednesday 5 November, 3.30-4.30
- Palmerston North Boys' High School
Christchurch
- Thursday 6 November, 4pm,
- Papanui High School
- Facilitator: Michelle Dalley
Please note the slightly later start time due to another meeting taking place at the school that same day.
Invercargill
- Tuesday 11 November, 5.30
- Mama San
Hawkes Bay
- Friday 14 November
- Location TBC
Wellington
- Wednesday 26 November 4pm
- Wellington Girls' College
Contact Details
NZALT President
Juliet Kennedy
Networks of Expertise Co-ordinator:
Juliet Kennedy
If you are aware of language teachers who are not receiving this newsletter, please email Juliet Kennedy.
Posting Notices
If you would like to post any notices in our newsletter or on our website please contact Juliet Kennedy.
If you no longer wish to receive the NZALT newsletter, please contact membership@nzalt.org.nz

NZALT Networks of Expertise Newsletter, Number 1, February 2025