Minutes of the Meeting of NZALT 18 March, 2006-03-17 at ILANZ, 111 The Terrace,

Wellington
Present: Anne Jacques(Pres), Jenness Riethmaier, Janet Sirisomphone, Gretchen
Badenhorst, Philippa Doig, David Hall, Judy Gibb (Sec), James Donald, Jane Lee,
Sue Sutherland (minutes secretary)
Apologies: Noeline Grant (Sat)

President Anne welcomed Exec and Gail Spence, Min of Education

1.1. Min of Education news
Gail Spence addressed the meeting. She cited Michael Kline’s Australia’s Language
Potential. It enumerates 3 impediments to the realization of this potential: one’s own
and others’ attitudes, lack of govt commitment, lack of quality language programmes.
The three are interdependent.
1.2 Current govt is becoming clearer about its goals 1. economic transformation, 2
families and whanau, 3 development of national identity.
The govt’s economic goal has been more clearly defined: 1 growing globally competent
firms, 2 creating internationally competitive workforce, 3 environmental issues.
1.3 Nuffield Report gives support to language learning – if you are monolingual, you
will not be internationally competitive.
1.4 Gail made three further points:
a Govt can only influence what govt owns – school boards of trustees are responsible
for the delivery of education. The govt is unable to mandate; however, it produces
guidelines in the form of needs and nags, regulates what needs to regulate, provides info
and monitors, intervenes to improve practices, etc (Gail’s work is intervention)
b Teacher professional learning – govt has contributed millions to send teachers
overseas – language immersion awards. Teachers accused of having junkets – to alter
this perception reports need to focus on benefit to students and teacher practice, to
include new experience, new resources, and evidence of transformation of practice.
Min of Ed ‘s funding has been cut because of Govt’s election promises.
C Training of primary teachers. National Coordination team, Marg Hardiman, Sylvia
Insley are coordinating language input into primary teacher training. Need sufficient
students to enrol for courses to continue; getting trainees to commit to the extra
language paper is a challenge. Principals need to advertise for teachers with lang skills
to demonstrate a demand.
1.5 Other matters:
Goal for all schools Years 7/8 to offer lang opportunities, including Maori by
2008.There was discussion around the achievability of that goal. Data – 64% of
intermediate schools, 42% of full primary schools, 50-60% of years 9-10 in schools.

Other - Draft Curriculum to be published June 8 – what are schools expected to do

thereafter? Processes not been decided on.

Learning Languages Series is well regarded. Cook Islands Maori and NZ Sign
Language versions are to be added to the series.

NZ Sign Lang (final) and Te Reo Maori(draft) Curriculum statements to be available

2006.

Professional Learning – two pilot programmes for Years 7 and 8 - Spanish and German
in Auckland, French and Japanese in ChCh - to develop primary teachers’ lang fluency,
get international qualification are being evaluated. The pilot is being continued
meanwhile.

Research –Rod Ellis’s Instructed Second Language Acquisition is being supported by

case studies which will be sent out to schools. The effect of the ten principles on
teaching practice is an unknown – is there a change teacher attitude and practice?

1.6 Issues raised by NZALT to Gail Spence

1 The Min’s role in desemination of the research it commissions to teacher

training.

GS Min of Ed has limited responsibility for dessemination of the research it

commissions. Is able to influence the output of languages advisers but relies on
meetings such as NZALT runs.

2 Quality Teacher Partnership funding is payable after the report is submitted.

This is too late to pay accounts.

GS GS suggested writing a letter to Dr Debbie Ayers to outline the problems with

the present system of payment of money after a report.

3 The Min of Ed does not take account in its budgeting of the fact that Languages
area includes 7 languages

GS Limited budget. The question will be asked if there too many languages, about
the long-term viability of so many languages.

Adele Scott: Letter to the Min of Education expressing NZALT’s vision for the the
future development of language learning.

2 Conference Mairi Ferguson and Debbie Rattray reported on progress.

Sponsorship Debbie outlined her difficulties in finding sponsorship, in spite of

exhaustive efforts, e.g The Warehouse, The Mad Butcher require that recipients be a
registered charitable trust; companies with international intyerests are unable to see the
link between the languages and culture; teachers not the target market for many
businesses – Porsche, BMW. Debbie has had to rely on personal contacts for
sponsorship.

Debbie suggested that NZALT apply for charitable status (as charitable organization) to
be able to apply to, for example, Lotteries Commission, Lion Foundation, for funding.
See Charities Act 2005.

Timeline too short for refereed papers

Speakers include Profs Michael Byram, Richard Johnstone, Tania Wendt Samu, Bali
Haque,

There will be a presentation on the Maori Curriculum

Helen Clark, is no longer able to open the conference. Joris de Bries will now do so,
with the proviso that his involvement be part of the New Zealand Diversity Action
programme. As a result have people registering for the Conference

The numbers 350 registrations required to break even. $350 is cost for early bird
members. Charge to booksellers - $1500 for sellers who are making a presentation -
$2000 for others; these prices include registration and meals. Hotel charges $800 per
booth. One day rate $200.

Discussion followed on the affordability of conference for members. Some regions are
using part of Langsem profits to fund registrations. Criteria to be finalized. Sasakawa
funding is available for teachers of Japanese.

Debbie suggests that NZALT apply for charitable status (as charitable organization) to
be able to apply to, for example, Lotteries Commission, Lion Foundation, for funding.
See Charities Act 2005.

Exec. to let organizers know the financial arrangements for exec members’ attendance
at Conference.

Other organizational arrangements

JG to write a letter to Mairi Ferguson and and Debbie Rattray, thanking for their time
18 March and offering executive’s support and help with the conference.

Letter to Linda Booth re the following requirements. (Gretchen will pass these on
verbally too)

a A room to be set up in the Continuing Education Offices on Saturday afternoon for 1-

5 p.m meeting for 12 members.

b Pre-conference dinner president’s reception for exec and overseas speakers –

Gretchen to discuss venue and refreshments - 20 people.

cSLA meeting for 23 persons. Time 7.30a.m Tuesday, 4 July

1.30 p.m.Wednesday 5 July. Exec and committee to lunch together. 3-4 p.m..Exec
meeting

2.6 Call for remits to be on NZALT website. Remits to be submitted to the Secretary
23 May, 2006
Nominations will also be called Junior Vice-President, Regional Officers
AGMto include presentation of the FPLV. AJ to explore diplomatic German
representation . FPLV flag to be shown. Linda to be asked to help with the publicity.

Publicity and Marketing

3 Minutes the minutes of 15/16 October, 2005 meeting were approved

Matters arising TRCC Taking the lead in languages 21-25 Jan 2007 for secondary
school teachers Meeting with TRCC 2 Feb, draft brochure produced. Teachers have to
pay registration and accommodation. TRCC covers travel and administration.

Judy to write to Min of Education re difficulty of accessing NZALT logo and re the
payment difficulties with Quality Learning Partnership

The umbrella association for subject associations. AJ to write to Judie Allison

requesting info. re status of the umbrella organization for subject associations. It was
not clear whether recent email from Peter Spratt, Education Manager of the Royal
Society is actually written in his capacity as exec officer of the new umbrella
organization.

4 Correspondence
Inwards from
IRD: NZALT has registration as a non-profit organization. In future likely NZALT will
have to register for GST NZALT has now applied for and received a GST number
Incorporated Societies: NZALT status as an Incorporated Soc has been confirmed A
statement of annual accounts needs to be sent to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies
annually.
Education Review Request for advertising/publicity in a Second Language Learning
issue. Passed to GB for conference conveners
Alastair McLauchlan request to host research on students giving up language learning.
AJ to write to Alastair, declining is request – it does not fit the philosophy of NZALT
Outwards to
Christina Smits, Teaching and Learning Initiative in support of Alastair McLauchlan
ILANZ thanking them for the use of the meeting room and facilities, asking for their
use on 18/19 March and inviting advisers to lunch 19th March.

5 Publicity and Marketing

Polyglot
Letter to Editor of Polyglot

Anne to do an article on NZALT for the Race and Ethnic Relations National
Language Policy Network Newsletter. The newsletter will be distributed in the third
week of each month – the first newsletter will be sent out via e-mail 21 April 2006

6 Treasurer’s report
JL distributed the treasurer’s report for 2005 and the projected budget for 2006
Membership –537 as per report
The budget was discussed at length. It was noted that the total cost of the fares for the
two conference convenors to fly to a two-hour meeting in Wellington was $1000. This
is a matter of concern – in future cheapest fares to be sought / only one convenor to be
paid for.
It was noted that life members are not to be invoiced.
It was moved that the budget 2005 be accepted. JL/JG
The projected budget 2006 was approved.
Balance in current account on 17/3/06 in $7895.15

On-line membership

There have been delays in getting membership renewals on line – process much more
complicated than envisaged a year ago. Note: membership to increase by $10 in 2006.

7 Curriculum(AS)
Discussion re Gail’s comment that reports must reflect the benefit to teacher practice
and student learning of the project. Criteria for reporting on PD awards, etc to be
amended to include this criterium
The New Zealand Curriculum Framework becomes (post Curriculum Project work) the
National Curriculum. It will be released June 7. (draft?)
Achievement objectives (based on European levels ) and essence statements to be
included in the new curricula are on the tki website. There is a link to them on the
NZALT website.
Sasakawa report
This year celebrates 10th anniversary of the fund in NZ. Naomi Collins and Adele will
attend conference in Melbourne to report on use of funds in NZ. The opportunity to
share practice and to learn from other recipients is welcomed.
The fund is still distributing funds for research re Japanese language education, e.g
$10,000 times 4 for PhD’s. Schools are making use of $2000 grant for school trips to
the extent that consideration is being given to limiting the number of times schools may
apply.
Meet twice a year for a day with numerous conference calls. $1.8 million US and only
spend the interest
Cranes for peace will run again this year.
Problems with sending info re teacher training scholarship
Richard Steel, NZQA was welcomed to the meeting on Sunday.
Additional monitoring was implemented in 2005 to insure appropriate consistency in
the results from year to year - but not consistency between subjects or between
internally and externally assessed standards.
Graphs distributed – showing comparison of Levels 1,2,3
Profiles of expected performance PEP’s used in this monitoring. – to ensure, where
exam has not been set, marked to the standard, that appropriate corrections are made.
Analysis of cohorts with how they did in English and maths
Important that there be consistency between languages.
Previously bench marking done at guinea pig stage and changes made to the marking
schedule on an ad hoc basis without reference to other indicators.
Results were constantly monitored for results outside expectations - professional
judgment paramount..
Monitoring processes last year required panel leaders to consider implications of their
interpretation of the marking schedule in a way they have not needed to do in the past.
Results logged on daily basis so the effect of a change in the schedule was noted.
Number of excellence questions have been changed – 2 out of 4 for Levels 1 and 2 and
for Level 3 must get 2 out of three; this has had unexpected consequences – clumping at
Merit level.
Attrition of panel leaders has been addressed– a panel leader will not be given more
than 2 standards to oversee – 2/1 split. Applications for panel leaders, close 24 April
DH asked about the differences in achievement in Writing 1.5 in French and German –
there was a discrepancy between the standards the German and French panels were
marking to. It would appear that “Structures up and including Level 6” is being
differently interpreted by different panel leaders. In future, achievement objectives are
going to worry less about structures. RS gave the assurance that the approach re
structures will be less pedantic and the focus will be on the achievement objectives.
Issues raised – students not attempting the paper on the basis that blank paper would not
attract a NA on their record.
Scholarship – issue for French in 2005 – more kids in French missed out than in 2004.
3% of cohort got scholarship – 5 could be added or substracted without relationship to
the size of the cohort. 3.2% in French gained scholarship, compared to 5% in Spanish.
STAG hard-nosed
Richard suggested that NZALT send letter to chief of NZQA stating that performance
in language was not recognized in 2005. It was agreed that AS would draft a basic
letter which could be amended and offered it to SLA’s to send to NZQA. Clear from
the assessment schedule that candidates met 2004 scholarship standard and were not
awarded scholarship in 2005. Phillipa to write a letter re one HVHS scholarship
student.
Richard was thanked. He agreed to come to the October meeting. Sunday 10 a.m.

8 PD Award (DH)
No applications for PD award received.

9 Special Projects award for production of French in class DVD, now available at
$49.95 to NZAFT members, 45 minutes duration. Parts of the video were shown to the
meeting. Report received from Shirley Bain and Stephanie Barnett
It was pointed out that NZALT sponsorship ($3000) was not acknowledged. David Hall
to write to Shirley Bain asking that NZALT be acknowledged.
Technical issue – Windows Mediaplayer will not play the DVD –this is noted on the
DVD.

10 Website
JL and DH met with Richard Anderson of Katipo, 18/3/06. Have settled on German
software, Club Data - a membership data base tracking system package
When the system is ready, regional officers will send out email, requesting that
members go to NZALT website and click on membership. There will be a link to Club
data. Members will log in with membership number and password, check on details,
click on Pay Subs to go to online payment site. Schools will be able to do a bulk
payment. Every member needs an email address. Regional officers to be responsible for
chasing up returned emails. There is an online form for new members on the web – two-
stage system. Invoice needs to be generated.
Regional Officers will be able to access regional membership lists.
Decision made to accept the paper subs already received , even though they do not
reflect the subscription increase.
Regional officers to remind members of the new subscription rates and to ask them to
wait until they are informed system is up and running.
11 Human Resources
Aquila NZALT annual contest – Deborah William’s suggestion of a competition for
language badges to be adopted. If Peter Beveridge is unwilling to sponsor it again, it
could be self-funded by the sale of the badges. PD to contact P Beveridge.
Info about competition out to schools by Week 1, Term 2, designs due end of Week 4
Term 2, 26 May
Template,+ entry form on one page. Can be computer or hand-produced, must.identify
language, be colourful, will be judged on visual impact.
Any language.Round shape at least one word in the target language.
Age groups 7/8, 9/10, 11-13 A selection of the best entries will be reproduced.
Spread the $500 Prizes of equivalent to $30, 20, 10 value.
Design is property of NZALT.
Regional officers to inform members and regional facilators of competition. Details
will be on website.
Entry form template – no more than 10 per school across all levels
Regional facilitators to be sent info to exc
PD to send Deborah Williams thanking her for her idea.
Asia New Zealand
Application to be made for funds from Asia New Zealand. The surplus of $2,943.34
is to be returned to keep the accounts straight.
Two applications were received
1. Katrina Martell application for school trip to Japan. To be asked for details of
additional funding she has received. The true cost to herself and an explanation
of the subsidy process for teachers.
2. Luba Roth – to be asked for details about her sharing of info with other teachers.
Motion: that assuming that the above details are satisfactorily provided we approve a
payment of $1000 to both applicants, subject to the funding being received from
Asia /N Z. JS/DH
It was decided to revamp the criteria and instructions to applicants with a view to
receiving more detail in the application and provide a template for reporting back.

12 Publicity and Marketing

Polyglot – email from Hilary Smith asking for a contract and an increase in the amount
of the honorarium
Deadline for Polyglot end of July
In the next issue: 2005 Financial report
$1000 + GST, to be offered clearer contract to be negotiated

NCEA sample writing booklets ready

Schedule: 25 March deadline;5 April GT to panel to NZQA
25 April Panel to GT; 15 May Draft booklets ready
GT -Cover letter + Tips for use
25 May Order forms on website;mid to late June ready for purchasing
Concerns with Chinese and Level 3 – more samples needed. Regional officers have
been requested to follow up missing permission slips, lack of grades, etc. Wellington
language teachers will form the panel – payment from the residual NCEA funding
One book for each language

Order form will be on website. Order to be sent post box with cheque; printing
according to order
Aim for 3 topics per level with NA(2) A(3) M(1) E(4) per topic
Next meeting It was signalled that the Working Rules need amendment. AS and SS to
liaise to prepare suggestions for October meeting..
The meeting closed at 15.06.32