Languages Teaching Scholarships

Languages Teaching Scholarships Round 2 General Information For currently employed teachers working in Victorian government schools equivalent and languages methodology) Overview who have not been teaching a language for the past two years or more and wish to The Victorian Government is striving for refresh their language skills in order to world class languages education across all teach a language in a government school. schools and is committed to the study of an additional language being part of every CATEGORY B scholarships will cover: government school learning program by 2025, starting with Prep in 2015.  an in-country language course  teacher release if the in-country course To meet the increased demand for qualified is delivered during school term. languages teachers the Government has committed $6 million over three years Eligibility criteria (2012-2014) for languages teaching scholarships. ALL Category A and B applicants must be Australian citizens or have permanent Scholarships are available for Victorian residence as well as full Victorian Institute government school teachers who are of Teaching (VIT) registration. proficient in another language to undertake In addition applicants must have one or studies to become qualified languages more of the following: teachers.  a post-VCE languages major How to apply  a post-VCE languages sub-major  a beginners languages major  a beginners languages sub-major Applications for Round 2 Languages  a Statement of Equivalence Teaching Scholarships must be submitted  a languages methodology online by Friday 30 August 2013 at: qualification. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ltscetr2

Scholarship categories Languages major or sub-major The Victorian Institute of Teaching’s Scholarships are available for two categories Specialist Area Guidelines advise that of currently employed teachers: qualified languages teachers should have an CATEGORY A: Teachers with a language advanced level major study in the language major or sub-major or a Statement of or be able to demonstrate proficiency Equivalence, who wish to become a qualified through a Statement of Equivalence. languages teacher. If you are not sure whether your languages CATEGORY A scholarships will cover: study constitutes a major or a sub-major  appropriate university language study please refer to the FAQ below: What is the (for applicants with a sub-major) difference between a language major and a  a languages methodology course, sub-major? including a supervised practicum  an in-country language course (up to six Statement of Equivalence weeks’ duration) Applicants who have native or near native  teacher release to support course levels of proficiency in a language, but not a attendance, including the practicum language major or sub-major, are required component and participation in the in- to demonstrate their language proficiency country language course. through a Statement of Equivalence. The Statement of Equivalence enables Victorian universities to assess applicants’ oral and written language proficiency and cultural CATEGORY B: Qualified languages teachers literacy. (i.e. have a university language major or 1 Languages Teaching Scholarships Round 2 General Information For currently employed teachers working in Victorian government schools Scholarship recipients are responsible for Scholarship recipients’ obligations arranging and paying for their Statement of Equivalence before they can enrol in a Scholarship recipients will be notified in languages methodology course. After October 2013 regarding the next steps for enrolment, recipients will be reimbursed for enrolling in tertiary study supported under the cost of their Statement of Equivalence the scholarship. on presentation of a receipt from the issuing university. Scholarship recipients will need to provide the Department with a signed ‘expense Information about Statements of payment benefit declaration’ form to ensure Equivalence, including the Victorian their participation in the languages universities which offer Statement of methodology course and/or language course Equivalence testing, is available at: will not have tax implications. The http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/tea declaration form will be provided to chers/teachingresources/discipline/language successful scholarship recipients. s/Pages/proflearn.aspx Should a scholarship recipient fail or In-country language courses discontinue their course or components of their course, they will be required to pay the Scholarship recipients will be funded to cost of re-enrolling. Recipients who undertake an in-country language course of discontinue their studies will be required to up to six weeks’ duration. In-country repay any additional costs that have been language courses will be identified in incurred by the Department. consultation with relevant foreign government agencies and where possible In addition to applicants completing an completed during the December/January online application, applicants’ principals school break. should provide a brief statement supporting the application and confirming that if the Scholarship recipients will be advised of the applicant is awarded a scholarship, they will in-country course details and their be given the opportunity to continue to obligations in Term 2, 2014. teach the language, or be given a teaching allotment in the language, at the school Scholarship selection following completion of their studies. Principals should email their statements While all applicants who meet the before 1 September 2013 to: Languages Teaching Scholarships eligibility [email protected] requirements will be considered, priority will be given to applicants: Further information  who meet languages methodology course requirements For further information regarding Languages Teaching Scholarships, email:  who have previously worked in the [email protected] languages education field  who teach in rural or regional Victoria  who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and/or are fluent in an indigenous language  whose principal provides confirmation that they will be given a languages teaching allotment at the school following completion of their training.

2 Languages Teaching Scholarships Round 2 Frequently Asked Questions For currently employed teachers working in Victorian government schools Why are Languages Teaching Can I apply if I am not an Scholarships being offered? Australian citizen or permanent Languages Teaching Scholarships are being resident? offered to increase the number of qualified No – only Australian citizens and permanent languages teachers available to work in residents are eligible to apply. Victorian schools. How and when do I apply for a Who is eligible to receive a Statement of Equivalence? Languages Teaching Currently employed teachers without a Scholarship under the currently language major are required to demonstrate employed teacher category? their language proficiency through a To be eligible, teachers must: Statement of Equivalence.  be an Australian citizen or permanent Scholarship recipients are responsible for resident arranging and paying for their Statement of  be currently employed in a Victorian Equivalence. Costs vary from $150 to $500 government school and have full VIT depending on the language and provider. registration Applicants who do not have a Statement of  have completed a languages major Equivalence should contact a university as or sub-major, or have a Statement of soon as possible to find out available dates Equivalence. for sitting the test. Applicants will need to In addition to the above, teachers who wish provide information about the date they will to apply for a Category B scholarship must sit the test in their scholarship application. have:  completed a tertiary languages Following their enrolment, successful methodology course scholarship recipients will be reimbursed for the cost of their Statement of Equivalence  not been teaching languages in the past on presentation of a receipt from the issuing two years. university. If I applied in Round 1 and was Further information, including the Victorian unsuccessful can I apply again universities which offer Statement of in Round 2? Equivalence testing, is available at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/tea Applicants unsuccessful in Round 1 may chers/teachingresources/discipline/language reapply in Round 2. s/Pages/proflearn.aspx

Can I apply for a scholarship if What is the difference between I am on a fixed-term contract a language major and a sub- and/or work part-time? major? Yes – both ongoing and fixed-term contract In the Victorian Institute of Teaching’s teachers and teachers who work part-time Specialist Area Guidelines the terms major can apply. and sub-major are defined as follows:

Sub-major: A total of half a year of successful full-time higher education study, usually comprising sequential discipline studies taken over two years, e.g. a part in 3 Languages Teaching Scholarships Round 2 Frequently Asked Questions For currently employed teachers working in Victorian government schools each of the first and second years of study, Recipients will need to ensure they meet the or equivalent study. In most programs this university entrance requirements, and have equates to four units, with no more than available academic transcripts to support two at first year level. their existing qualifications.

Major: A total of three-quarters of a year of How does my school apply for successful full-time higher education studies, usually comprising sequential Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) discipline study taken over three years, e.g. funding if my application is a part in each of the first, second and third successful? years of study, or equivalent study. In most programs this equates to six units, with no CRT funding will be paid to scholarship more than two at first year level and no less recipients’ schools to support their course than two units at third year level. attendance and study requirements. CRT funding will be paid retrospectively. Schools If I am awarded a scholarship, will need to invoice the Department at the end of each term for the days their teachers can I defer my studies? were absent from school due to study and Scholarship recipients will not be able to course requirements. Scholarship recipients defer their studies. However, they can and their schools will be advised of the reapply in the third and final round of number of course attendance and practicum scholarships in 2014. days (if applicable) and additional study days that will be funded after their course If I am unsuccessful in Round enrolment has been confirmed. 2, can I apply in Round 3? What if I fail to complete the Applicants unsuccessful in Round 2 may languages methodology or reapply in Round 3. languages course? If I am awarded a Round 2 Scholarship recipients who fail or discontinue subjects during their course will Scholarship, when will I be required to pay the costs of re-enrolling. commence my course? Recipients who discontinue their studies will Scholarship recipients will be notified in be required to repay any additional costs October 2013 of languages methodology that have been incurred by the Department. courses (face-to-face or off-campus) that they can enrol in. Courses commence from When will scholarship recipients February 2014. Recipients will need to be able to undertake their in- ensure they meet the university entrance requirements, and have available academic country study course? transcripts to support their existing Category A scholarship recipients will qualifications. undertake an in-country language course of up to six weeks’ duration after they have Scholarship recipients who need to complete successfully completed their languages additional language units before completing methodology course. their methodology study in 2015 will be required to investigate the options for Category B scholarship recipients will completing their languages study at an undertake an in-country language course of appropriate university. This scholarship will up to six weeks’ duration at a time to be support either on- or off-campus study at negotiated after October 2014. any Victorian university, or off-campus (online) study at any Australian university. 4 Languages Teaching Scholarships Round 2 Frequently Asked Questions For currently employed teachers working in Victorian government schools As far as possible, in-country language courses will be held during school holiday periods.

CRT funding will be provided for any days that the teacher is required to be away from school for an in-country course.

Will scholarship recipients be required to contribute to the cost of the in-country study course? The scholarship will cover all costs for the in-country course including airfare and hostel standard accommodation. Some but not all meals will be included.

Scholarship recipients will be expected to pay for in-country travel associated with attending the course, for their passports, visas (if applicable) and incidentals.

Further information For further information regarding Languages Teaching Scholarships, email: [email protected]