Mark your calendars and save the date for the highly anticipated Early Childhood Language Program Annual Forum! This year’s event promises to be an enriching experience, bringing together educators, experts, and enthusiasts in the field of early childhood practice and pedagogy and language methodology.
Join us for a day of insightful discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities that will inspire and elevate your approach to delivering a language program. We will explore innovative strategies, share success stories, and collectively work towards fostering a love for languages in our littlest minds.
It is a date you will not want to miss as we come together to celebrate and elevate early childhood language education! More information to be provided at a later date.
Keynote Speakers
Dr Amie Fabry is a devoted early childhood educator with 17 years of diverse experience and merges research with hands-on practice to uplift leaders in pedagogical transformation. Known for her strengths-based approach, Amie is dedicated to cultivating environments where educators and children flourish.
Her PhD spotlighted the pivotal role early childhood leaders have in fostering cultures of collaboration and connection, further emphasised by her recognition with a New Voice Scholarship from the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.
Louka Parry is the CEO and Founder of The Learning Future and works globally as a speaker, learning strategist and education futurist. Louka speaks on innovation, leadership and change having worked with thousands of leaders and educators from diverse contexts all across the world, including in high-level policy fora such as the OECD, UNESCO, and the European Commission, and with all Australian States and Territories.
A rapid learner, Louka speaks five languages, has visited over 80 countries, and holds two Masters Degrees, one in Instructional Leadership and another in Applied Linguistics.
Workshops
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Anthony Semann – Semann & Slattery
This session explores intentional teaching as a deliberate approach aimed at maximising learning opportunities whilst teaching in a play-based learning environment. Through insightful discussion, you will delve into how intentional teaching can be effectively integrated into your language program.
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Dr Bill Forshaw – Research Unit for Indigenous Language, The University of Melbourne & Vaso Elefsiniotis – Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI)
This session is Aboriginal Language teachers only.
Join Bill & Vaso for an impactful workshop to develop and practice high-frequency phrases that can be used with children. The aim is to increase the amount of language used in teaching and learning Aboriginal languages.
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Colin Slattery – Semann & Slattery
Step into a world of collaborative teaching excellence, designed specifically for early childhood teachers seeking support in team teaching. In today's dynamic educational landscape, collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of every child. With practical strategies and innovative approaches to enhance team teaching dynamics, participants will learn how to seamlessly integrate their strengths, share responsibilities, and co-create dynamic learning experiences to ensure delivery of a quality language program.
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Dr Edith Nicolas & Dr Yvette Slaughter – Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne
Grounded in Tomasello's usage-based theory, this workshop will explore the benefits of exposing young learners to additional languages through play-based pedagogies. Through reflection on practice, this workshop will focus on language teacher development, on understanding children’s language acquisition, and on consolidating and extending children’s additional language learning. Explore the purpose of the Early Childhood Language Program, your role as a language teacher, and learn practical strategies to increase target language usage in various types of play.
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Katharine Gronow
This session is for Auslan teachers and will be delivered in Auslan.
Look at how to infuse play-based experiences with Auslan, ensuring both engagement and effective learning. Discover innovative approaches to planning play-based experiences that captivate young minds while integrating Auslan seamlessly. We’ll explore techniques to make Auslan teaching in early childhood not just educational but also joyfully immersive. Get ready to ignite curiosity and foster communication skills through the power of play!
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Kylie Farmer – Modern Language Teachers Association Victoria (MLTAV)
Play is a natural and significant aspect of children’s learning and development. Do you ever worry about interrupting play? This session will look at ways you can be intentional during co-play and create opportunities for language use. This session will help you to increase opportunities for children to engage in language in play-based environments.
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Linton Roe – Modern Language Teachers Association Victoria (MLTAV)
Delve into the fascinating world of how children grasp words and phrases most effectively when they are immersed in purposeful interactions. This workshop will work through practical strategies for fostering strong connections with language through engaging activities and thoughtful linguistic choices.
We'll ponder reflective questions together such as: Is the language we use easily understood by children? How can we enhance comprehension through the integration of visuals, gestures, intonation, and other resources? By embracing these inquiries, we aim to create enriching environments where translation becomes obsolete, and language learning flourishes organically.
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Dr Louise Paatsch - Learn to Play
Do you remember how to play? This workshop will look at strategies for teachers to authentically engage in different types of play whilst being intentional with language choices and ways to communicate.
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Dr Siobhan Hannan – Victoria University
This session is only for educators delivering a Bilingual Kindergarten program.
Explore the world of bilingual education models. Gain insights into effective bilingual education strategies for early childhood, explore innovative approaches that nurture foundations for language learning and discover the profound impact of language nests.