ACTA has developed a Position Paper and Fact Sheet in response to the adoption of synthetic phonics approaches to early literacy by education authorities across Australia. The Position Paper examines key issues specifically regarding EAL/D learners, using six commercial resources in wide use across Australia as its evidence base. The Paper is now in its
2026 October- Synthetic Phonics-ACTA’s position Read More »
ACTA opposes Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle cuts to EAL/D teaching positions*, part of broader cuts affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education staff, support workers, teacher librarians, and other specialist educational roles. The proposed cuts will significantly reduce specialist EAL/D provision across the diocese, negatively impacting many vulnerable communities. ACTA calls for an immediate restoration
2026 September- EAL/D specialist teachers face dramatic cuts across 58 Catholic schools Read More »
The Penny McKay Memorial Award honours Penny’s contribution to research and development in second/additional language education. As a teacher, consultant, researcher, keynote speaker and professional activist, Penny McKay was a leader in language education in Australia and internationally. Working collaboratively with educators and researchers in schools, she pioneered an approach to assessing learners’ development in
2026 September- Applications for the Penny McKay Award are closing soon Read More »
The Government has announced a major reform to the AMEP. Details can be found at the Department of Home Affairs web site. ACTA particularly commends the new AMEP Academy and AMEP Online. However, the reform entails significant cost cutting, which the Government seeks to achieve through changes to eligibility and childcare. ACTA is deeply concerned
2026 September- AMEP Reform- Cost cutting will restrict migrants’ and refugees’ access Read More »
ACTA has been advocating strongly to the Department of Home Affairs, asking them to consult teachers about on-the-ground issues with implementing the curriculum in a VET context, the TAFE context and in an ASQA audit context. The Department of Home Affairs has sent out a questionnaire to all AMEP providers, specifically asking for teachers’ feedback
2026 June- Department of Home Affairs AMEP Questionnaire Read More »
ACTA makes submission to the government’s review of education policy for First Nations students: See https://www.education.gov.au/first-nations-education-policy/resources/first-nations-education-policy-discussion-paper,. For the ACTA submission, see the link below. ACTA submission to the Review of First Nations Education Policy
2026-February-ACTA submission to Review of First Nations Education Policy Read More »
Teachers at a community centre in Melbourne are calling for improvements in the AMEP. This article, featured on the ABC News web site, features the views of Dr Helen Moore- president of ATESOL ATC. Adult Migrant English Program fails to teach practical language skills, educators say – ABC News
2026-April- AMEP News Read More »
We warmly invite you to submit a paper for the ACTA International Conference, to be hosted by ATESOL NSW from October 1-3 this year. Areas of focus for the conference include developments in policy, pedagogy and research in: national and international state of English as an additional language or dialect education, leadership and teacher education
2026 February- ACTA International Conference Call for Papers Closing Soon! Read More »
Planning your professional learning for this year? We are excited to remind you that you are now able to register for the ACTA International Conference and receive early bird rates! The ACTA conference, hosted by ATESOL NSW, will be held on 1-3 October 2026. It will bring together national and international educators, researchers, and leaders
2026 February- ACTA International Conference: Early bird registration is open! Read More »
Announcement Along with our partners, the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA) and the Association for language Testing and Assessment of Australia and New Zealand (ALTAANZ), we are delighted to announce that the winner of the Penny McKay Award for 2025 is Dr Dean Ryschka for his doctoral thesis undertaken at the Queensland University of
2025 December- Winner of the 2025 Penny McKay Award Read More »