This book is a timely comparison of the divergent worlds of policy implementation and policy ambition, the messy, often contradictory here-and-now reality of languages in schools and the sharp-edged, shiny, future-oriented representation of languages in policy. Two deep rooted tendencies in Australian political and social life, multiculturalism…

In addressing the needs of second languages, the principle must be to build quality at all levels, especially in the design of programs and the rigour and seriousness of teaching and to maintain a consistent effort rather than to subject language planning to continual chopping and changing of priority. Quality programs will need to be readily…

In his examination of successful innovation and change in education in many settings, Fullan (2001) identifies the three broad options for effecting change that public authorities have at their disposal. They can seek to bring about change through imposing accountability (system-wide or targeted), or through providing incentives (either…

A discussion of language policy in Australia chronicles the history and context of policy formation and looks at the role of the National Languages and Literacy Institute. The paper first examines the phases and processes of both explicit and unofficial policy-making on language issues in Australia, highlighting the role that language…

Presents the viewpoints of two teacher educators--one American and one Australian--on how institutional policies can address the needs of language minority students. One viewpoint stresses the need for teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) to organize and support each other. The other emphasizes the value of constructing an…

Examines how "big picture" scenarios of world futures in the new millennium that frame policymakers' views have an impact on language, culture, and education. Some of these scenarios predict homogenization, whereas others foretell conflict. In this changing scenario, the social and political effects of language planning and English as a…

This book, which is intended to inform Australia's education community about various aspects of the national literacy debate and the policy development process, reviews the literature on literacy teaching in secondary and postsecondary education and the workplace and describes the sociocultural and educational context for development of literacy…