Language progressions project

What is the problem?

“A key challenge is the lack of continuity in language learning. Languages, like mathematics,

are subjects where much of the learning is cumulative and progresses in certain ways. Very

few students, however, anywhere in Australia have access to continued language learning

through their primary and secondary schooling… There is no way to know, in fact, that any

student in NSW is gaining any level of language proficiency at any stage of schooling.”

Sydney Institute for Community Languages Education p81

Masters, G. N. (2020). Nurturing wonder and igniting passion, designs for a new school curriculum: NSW curriculum review.

What are the Language Progressions?

This project is funded by the NSW Department of Education and undertaken by the Sydney Institute for Community Languages Education (SICLE). The Language learning progressions are classroom/teacher-based assessment tools which bring together teaching and curriculum. They describe student achievement and the development of language learning. The progressions are research-based and evidence-informed, they align with current syllabuses and support teaching and learning.

The language progressions will include the development of generic and language-specific milestones that can identify student languages learning and growth in listening, speaking, reading and writing at all stages of schooling in all sites of learning. The purpose of these instruments is to support valid and reliable teacher assessment of student language learning with reference to classroom work samples. The language learning progressions will also support teacher assessment for student language learning including student self-assessment.

Progressions Project Team

Dr Michael Michell – UNSW

Prof. Ken Cruickshank – SICLE

Merryl Wahlin – SICLE

Mark McCarthy - SICLE

Arabic Writing Team

Dr Mohamed Mahgoub – University College London

Nada Awad – Punchbowl Boys’ HS

Noor Elias – Liverpool PS

Chinese Writing Team

Prof. Linda Tsung – University of Sydney

Xiao Chen – SICLE

Erjia Guan – Chatswood PS

Frances Lee – Middle Harbour PS

Fang Qian – St Ignatius’ College Riverview

Prof. Boping YUAN - Cambridge University