Author Archives: leannesmith

Farewell 2020 and Happy New Year for 2021

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What a year it has been! Because of the pandemic, I have been unable to run any face-to-face workshops since March. Then in November NESA deregistered all workshops across the state. It is with a heavy heart that I have reached the decision to close this business. The website will remain for one further year, to enable all previous workshop participants to access materials. Thank you to everyone who ever worked with me these past 8 years. It has been extremely rewarding to work with dedicated teachers across New South Wales, who are giving children the gifts of speaking another language and increased intercultural understanding. I am looking forward to working full-time in the classroom in 2021 and hope that 2021 brings new adventures and rich learning experiences for you all.

Last chance this year to get Languages programs and assessments ready for the new syllabus

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The deadlines to register for the new language syllabus workshop trilogy are approaching. Don’t miss out on this suite of NESA registered one-day workshops:

  • understand the new syllabus
  • write engaging units of work
  • design authentic assessment tasks
  • organise data for reporting
     
    Click on the links below to register now!
WorkshopWorkshop dateRegister and pay by
NSW Language syllabuses – rewriting stage 4 programs29 November 201915 November
2019
It starts with the task – Stage 5 assessment in Languages5 December
2019		21 November
2019

See what previous participants have to say

Fantastic, inspiring, and soooooooo useful! I can’t wait to start using the ideas to create new assessment tasks – and that is something that I usually dread…but not any more! Thank you so much. (Lise Hodgkinson, La Salle Academy Lithgow)

Very valuable information and ideas to share with colleagues at school and implement in the program. Thank you. (M. Gava, CBHS Lewisham)

The workshop was enjoyable and useful. It was well paced with the process of assessment being covered. Good examples were given as stimulus. (K.Cousins)

Leanne’s workshop was very thorough as well as informative. We learnt not only what the new syllabus entitles, but how to integrate it in new syllabus entitles, but how to integrate it in our program – Leanne is very knowledgeable and able to answer to all the question, you may have about the syllabus, programming, task based activities and the teaching and learning of languages. (Virginie.)

This has been the most helpful PD I’ve done to date. I can use every aspect of today’s work to better what I am teaching in the future. (Jessica Cacciotti, Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown)

This has been a well balanced day. Each session has provided either reassurance or inspiration! (C. Bennett, St Raphael’s Catholic School)

This workshop was excellent. We’ve learnt so much & feel much more confident about how to rewrite stage 4 Programs in light of the new syllabus. Leanne is fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone who teaches languages! (C.Dunston)

Top 5 languages studied for HSC in 2019

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NESA has released the snapshots of HSC study 2019. Do you know what the top 5 languages studied this year are?

Top 5 languages studied for 2019 HSC are Japanese, French, Chinese, Italian Spanish.

You can see all the data for Languages here.

To see other snapshots, take a look at https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/about-HSC/HSC-facts-figures

New language syllabus workshop trilogy – enrolments closing soon

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The deadlines to register for the new language syllabus workshop trilogy are approaching. Don’t miss out on this suite of NESA registered one-day workshops designed to support Language teachers to:

  • understand the new syllabus
  • write engaging units of work
  • design authentic assessment tasks
  • organise data for reporting

Workshop

Workshop date

Register and pay by
NSW Language syllabuses – rewriting stage 4 programs 6 September 2019 23 August 2019
NSW Language syllabuses – rewriting stage 4 programs 29 November 2019 15 November 2019
It starts with the task – Stage 5 assessment in Languages 20 September 2019 6 September 2019
It starts with the task – Stage 5 assessment in Languages 5 December 2019 21 November 2019
Get organised! Create a digital day and mark book to match report outcomes. Online – anytime Register and pay anytime to complete online.

Can’t come to the Sydney CBD? The trilogy of workshops can be presented in any location across NSW if there is sufficient interest, so gather your colleagues and please let Leanne know where you would like her to run a workshop. We currently have teachers in Wagga Wagga / Albury and North Coast waiting for other colleagues to register the interest in a workshop.

Introducing the new language syllabus workshop trilogy

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The new language syllabus workshop trilogy is a suite of NESA registered one-day workshops designed to support Language teachers to:

  • understand the new syllabus
  • write engaging units of work
  • design authentic assessment tasks
  • organise data for reporting

Attend one, two or all three workshops to be prepared to implement the new syllabus in your school. Feel excited about what you are going to teach!

Click on the links below to learn more about each workshop and enrol. Numbers are strictly limited – don’t miss out book now!

  1. NSW Language syllabuses – rewriting stage 4 programs
  2. It starts with the task – Stage 5 assessment in Languages
  3. Get organised! Create a digital day and mark book to match report outcomes.

Can’t come to the Sydney CBD? The trilogy of workshops can be presented in any location across NSW if there is sufficient interest, so gather your colleagues and please let Leanne know where you would like her to run a workshop.

NESA releases new language syllabuses for Arabic, Modern Greek, Turkish and Vietnamese

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NESA has now released new syllabuses for the following languages:

If you teach these subjects, you will continue to use the current syllabus in 2019, but will use the new syllabus from 2020 as follows:

  • 2020 – implement for K-6 (for schools with languages programs), Year 7 and Year 9
  • 2021 –  implement for Year 8 and Year 10

Wondering where to start when rewriting your programs? Do you understand the opportunities the new syllabus presents for invigorating your teaching program? This one day workshop has been written for you. I am currently collecting expressions of interest to learn the best location to offer this workshop in 2019.

Participants leave the workshop:

  • familiar with the content for stage 4 2nd language learners in the new syllabuses
  • equipped with thinking tools to see how programs need to change
  • inspired with new ideas to give an authentic focus to units
  • and with a clear timeline for making changes.

Please contact Leanne if you are interested in attending this workshop in 2019.

Testimonials

See what previous participants have to say about the workshop:

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New year – new language syllabuses

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Happy 2019 and year of the pig!  All across the state, year 7 and year 9 students are enjoying language learning, through refreshed programs, with a focus on authentic communication. Next year we implement the new language syllabuses for years 8 and 10. How are you going with new syllabus implementations? Wondering where to start when rewriting your programs? Do you understand the opportunities the new syllabus presents for invigorating your teaching program? This one day workshop has been written for you. I am currently collecting expressions of interest to learn the best location to offer this workshop in 2019.

Participants leave the workshop:

  • familiar with the content for stage 4 2nd language learners in the new syllabuses
  • equipped with thinking tools to see how programs need to change
  • inspired with new ideas to give an authentic focus to units
  • and with a clear timeline for making changes.

Please contact Leanne if you are interested in attending this workshop in 2019.

Testimonials

See what previous participants have to say about the workshop:

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Be inspired by the new syllabus

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Hurry – enrolments for the last workshop this year close tomorrow! Join us in Penrith, 7 November, as we learn to understand the intent of the new syllabus to enliven your programs and engage your students. Feel excited about what you are going to teach!

You will leave this workshop:

  • familiar with the content for stage 4 2nd language learners in the new syllabuses
  • equipped with thinking tools to see how programs need to change
  • inspired with new ideas to give an authentic focus to units
  • and with a clear timeline for making changes.

Register now.

Last chance to be inspired about rewriting programs for the new Language syllabuses!

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Don’t miss out! Wondering where to start when rewriting your programs? Do you understand the opportunities the new syllabus presents for invigorating your teaching program? This one day workshop has been written for you. The last opportunity to attend this workshop is on November 7 2018. Enrolment has been extended until 31 October 2018.

Participants leave the workshop:

  • familiar with the content for stage 4 2nd language learners in the new syllabuses
  • equipped with thinking tools to see how programs need to change
  • inspired with new ideas to give an authentic focus to units
  • and with a clear timeline for making changes.

Enrolments for November 7 workshop are closing now – don’t miss out!

Testimonials

See what previous participants have to say about the workshop:

This workshop was excellent. We’ve learnt so much & feel much more confident about how to rewrite stage 4 Programs in light of the new syllabus. Leanne is fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone who teaches languages! C.Dunston

 

Leanne’s workshop was very thorough as well as informative. We learnt not only what the new syllabus entitles, but how to integrate it in our program – Leanne is very knowledgeable and able to answer to all the questions you may have about the syllabus, programming, task based activities and the teaching and learning of languages. Virginie.

 

I liked the reason for language learning and what we are trying to achieve with the new syllabus – how it is more authentic. V. McMillan

 

Very well delivered with clear instruction. All activities were purposeful and helped to clarify my thinking. W. Merriman

 

Thank you for organising the workshop. The workshop has given me a better understanding of the new syllabus. Thank you so much for sharing the template to write the new program. I feel much better now.

 

Very relaxed, professional and informative.

 

Will recommend this to all my language teacher colleagues. Thank you Leanne!!

Enrol now!

New language syllabuses – where do I start?

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Wondering where to start when rewriting your programs? Do you understand the opportunities the new syllabus presents for invigorating your teaching program? This one day workshop has been written for you.

st4syl-flyer (1)

 

Participants leave the workshop:

  • familiar with the content for stage 4 2nd language learners in the new syllabuses
  • equipped with thinking tools to see how programs need to change
  • inspired with new ideas to give an authentic focus to units
  • and with a clear timeline for making changes.

Enrolments for September 26 workshop are open now.

 

Testimonials

See what previous participants have to say about the workshop:

This workshop was excellent. We’ve learnt so much & feel much more confident about how to rewrite stage 4 Programs in light of the new syllabus. Leanne is fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone who teaches languages! C.Dunston

Leanne’s workshop was very thorough as well as informative. We learnt not only what the new syllabus entitles, but how to integrate it in our program – Leanne is very knowledgeable and able to answer to all the questions you may have about the syllabus, programming, task based activities and the teaching and learning of languages. Virginie.

I liked the reason for language learning and what we are trying to achieve with the new syllabus – how it is more authentic. V. McMillan

Very well delivered with clear instruction. All activities were purposeful and helped to clarify my thinking. W. Merriman

Thank you for organising the workshop. The workshop has given me a better understanding of the new syllabus. Thank you so much for sharing the template to write the new program. I feel much better now.

Very relaxed, professional and informative.

Will recommend this to all my language teacher colleagues. Thank you Leanne!!

Enrol now!

New syllabus workshops – new dates announced!

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How will

a more specific focus on the use of language in authentic ways

impact your learning design? Do you have the tools you need to analyse your existing stage 4 programs? Where do you begin to rewrite your units of work to meet new outcomes and mandatory content?

4 new dates have been announced for the workshop about the new K-10 syllabuses for Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish:

4 July 2018

26 September 2018

7 November 2018

Don’t miss out – enrol now!

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What’s new in these syllabuses? How will the syllabus affect how I teach my students language?

Leanne Smith works as an independent languages consultant, secondary Japanese teacher and delivers languages curriculum at Western Sydney University. Leanne will lead participants to:

°          Consider the reasons for learning a language.

°          Understand the structure of the new syllabus.

°          Explore the tasks provided in the new syllabuses.

°          Analyse own existing stage 4 program in light of the new outcomes.

°          Explore new opportunities to rewrite units of work with a focus on authentic language use.
This workshop will focus on the standard content provided for 2nd language learners in the Stage 4 syllabuses. The same approach can be applied by teachers looking at rewriting their stage 5 programs.

This workshop will be held in Penrith, NSW. Exact venue will be advised closer to the date of the workshop. Penrith is a central location, just 1 hour from Sydney and Katoomba, 90 minutes from Wollongong and Gosford.

Would you like Leanne to deliver this workshop in another area? Request a different location.

Ready to enrol now?– places are limited to small numbers to ensure participants receive the assistance they need.

 

New syllabus workshops – June 15 still has room for you!

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How will

a more specific focus on the use of language in authentic ways

impact your learning design? Do you have the tools you need to analyse your existing stage 4 programs? Where do you begin to rewrite your units of work to meet new outcomes and mandatory content?

The workshop about the new K-10 syllabuses for Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish on May 30 is full, but there is still room for you in the workshop being held on Friday 15 June, so I have extended the application date to June 1. Don’t miss out – enrol now!

reg close

What’s new in these syllabuses? How will the syllabus affect how I teach my students language?

Leanne Smith works as an independent languages consultant, secondary Japanese teacher and delivers languages curriculum at Western Sydney University. Leanne will lead participants to:

°          Consider the reasons for learning a language.

°          Understand the structure of the new syllabus.

°          Explore the tasks provided in the new syllabuses.

°          Analyse own existing stage 4 program in light of the new outcomes.

°          Explore new opportunities to rewrite units of work with a focus on authentic language use.
This workshop will focus on the standard content provided for 2nd language learners in the Stage 4 syllabuses. The same approach can be applied by teachers looking at rewriting their stage 5 programs.

This workshop will be held in Penrith, NSW. Exact venue will be advised closer to the date of the workshop. Penrith is a central location, just 1 hour from Sydney and Katoomba, 90 minutes from Wollongong and Gosford.

Would you like Leanne to deliver this workshop in another area? Register your interest!

Ready to enrol now?– places are limited to small numbers to ensure participants receive the assistance they need.

 

New languages syllabuses in NSW – support is here!

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NESA has released support documents for the new K-10 Chinese and Japanese syllabuses. Teachers can download a sample scope and sequence and unit of work.

Do you know how your your own programs will need to change to enact the intent of the new K-10 syllabuses for Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish? Would you like support in getting ready to implement the new syllabuses for years 7 and 9 next year? Want to quickly understand the changes and follow a process to start rewriting your units of work? The K-10 language syllabuses – Rewriting stage 4 programs workshop is for you! The workshop will contribute 5 hours of NESA Registered PD addressing 2.1.2, 6.2.2 and 7.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

K-10 language syllabuses - rewriting stage 4 programs

In this workshop, participants will:

°          Consider the reasons for learning a language.

°          Understand the structure of the new syllabus.

°          Explore tasks provided in the syllabuses.

°          Analyse own existing stage 4 program in light of the new outcomes.

°          Explore new opportunities to rewrite units of work with a focus on authentic language use.

This workshop will focus on the standard content provided for 2nd language learners in the Stage 4 syllabuses. The same approach can be applied by teachers looking at rewriting their stage 5 programs.

This workshop will be held in Penrith, NSW. Exact venue will be advised closer to the date of the workshop. Penrith is a central location, just 1 hour from Sydney and Katoomba, 90 minutes from Wollongong and Gosford.

Ready to enrol now?– places are limited to small numbers to ensure participants receive the assistance they need. 30 May workshop enrolment has closed, but there is still room in the workshops on 15 June and 30 June.

New syllabus workshops – enrolment closing dates

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New K-10 syllabuses are here for Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. Are you ready to implement them? Enrolments for April 27 workshop close today.

reg close

What’s new in these syllabuses? How will the syllabus affect how I teach my students language?

Leanne Smith works as an independent languages consultant, secondary Japanese teacher and delivers languages curriculum at Western Sydney University. Leanne will lead participants to:

°          Consider the reasons for learning a language.

°          Understand the structure of the new syllabus.

°          Explore the tasks provided in the new syllabuses.

°          Analyse own existing stage 4 program in light of the new outcomes.

°          Explore new opportunities to rewrite units of work with a focus on authentic language use.
This workshop will focus on the standard content provided for 2nd language learners in the Stage 4 syllabuses. The same approach can be applied by teachers looking at rewriting their stage 5 programs.

This workshop will be held in Penrith, NSW. Exact venue will be advised closer to the date of the workshop. Penrith is a central location, just 1 hour from Sydney and Katoomba, 90 minutes from Wollongong and Gosford.

Would you like Leanne to deliver this workshop in another area? Register your interest!

Ready to enrol now?– places are limited to small numbers to ensure participants receive the assistance they need.

 

New syllabus – rewriting stage 4 programs

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New K-10 syllabuses are here for Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. Are you ready to implement them?

workshops for NSW language teachers - rewriting stage 4 programs for the new syllabuses

A rescue plan from consultingleanne.com!

Leanne Smith works as an independent languages consultant, secondary Japanese teacher and delivers languages curriculum at Western Sydney University. Leanne will lead participants to:

°          Consider the reasons for learning a language.

°          Understand the structure of the new syllabus.

°          Explore the tasks provided in the new syllabuses.

°          Analyse own existing stage 4 program in light of the new outcomes.

°          Explore new opportunities to rewrite units of work with a focus on authentic language use.
This workshop will focus on the standard content provided for 2nd language learners in the Stage 4 syllabuses.

 

This workshop will be held in Penrith, NSW. Exact venue will be advised closer to the date of the workshop. Penrith is a central location, just 1 hour from Sydney and Katoomba, 90 minutes from Wollongong and Gosford.

Register your interest or enrol now – places are limited to small numbers to ensure participants receive the assistance they need.

 

NSW have your say on your new syllabus

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NESA has developed new K-10 syllabuses for Languages. Consultation on the French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean and Spanish draft syllabuses will occur from Tuesday 13 June 2017 until Monday 7 August 2017.

For further information on:

  • where you can attend meetings
  • download the draft syllabuses
  • provide feedback

read Languages K–10 Syllabus Development.

New Assessment requirements for Stage 6 Languages

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New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) has released new stage 6 school-based assessment requirements, effective from Term 1, 2018 for Year 11 and Term 4, 2018 for Year 12. One of the changes is you can only have one exam that mimics the HSC examination. It is important you read the changes carefully as you write your assessment schedules and programmes for next year. For further information read the offical notice from NESA.

Japanese Fabric and Food 2018 cancelled

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Sadly we did not get enough participants sign up in time for this trip to go ahead.

In 2015 I was lucky enough to travel with an amazing group of Textiles Technology teachers as we visited major tourist sights and learnt so much about Japanese textiles, staying in an old farmhouse nestled in a mountain village west of Tokyo. Here are some pictures from the Textiles trip in 2015.

 

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Some of those teachers want to do it again. Here are some words from participants from the last trip:

I just want to share with you my wonderful experience about a study tour to Japan with Leanne in 2015. At the beginning, I wanted to join this tour but was hesitant to pay a large amount of money to travel with someone, I had never met. It turned out to be one of the most memorable trips that I have done in the past thirty-seven years. What made this trip special was, apart from the famous places in Japan, we did many hands on activities and went to many specialty shops that ordinary tourists may not know about. The stay in the artisan village in Fujino was amazing. I was in awe when we visited an eighth generation katazome dyeing master, using 40 – 50 year old stencils and dipped them in hundred-year old dye vats. The textiles visits and hands-on activities were so interesting. The visit and stories shared by a potterer gave me deeper appreciation about true artistic pottering. The food that we had was prepared with tremendous skills and passion.

It’s difficult to paint a picture of our trip because it was made up of so many great things. Just like the conversations that I had with other group members who enjoyed the trip immensely. I think that it was the things that we did together, the people we met and what we had learned that made the trip special. The best thing about the trip is having Leanne. She was a “leader who eats last” and looked after everyone throughout the whole trip. The upcoming study tour in 2018 is something that I’m definitely looking forward to.

-Ha Doan, Secondary TAS teacher

I am very happy to recommend the trip to Japan that is being organised by Leanne Smith. I went on the last trip she organised and it was an absolutely wonderful and well organised trip. I was a first time overseas traveller when I went on the last trip and her pre-information leading up to leaving was exceptionally helpful. She organised a great variety of activities for us in Japan and the last weekend in the mountains outside Tokyo with Bryan was a highlight of the trip.

-Cathy Conyngham, Woodenbong Central School

Calling any Textiles and Food Technology teachers in NSW interested in travelling to Japan to study sericulture, traditional dyeing and weaving methods and regional cuisine! This study tour has been linked to outcomes in the NSW syllabus. This time we will explore Japanese cuisine too. If you are a Textiles and/ or Food Technology teacher in a NSW high school and want to know more about the trip, please contact me, letting me know your email and at which high school you are teaching. Closing date for applications is Friday 23 June 2017.