Article published In: Australian Review of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 14:1 (1991) ► pp.35–58
The evolution of languages administrative policies in New South Wales
1962-79
Published online: 1 January 1991
https://doi.org/10.1075/aral.14.1.03cro
https://doi.org/10.1075/aral.14.1.03cro
Abstract
This paper identifies the nature of the administrative policies prior to ‘The Wyndham Report’ and then traces changes up until the late 1970s. It reports research that used documentary analysis and depth interviews, and has three main findings. First, the administrative policy changes from 1962 to 1979 overlooked their impact on Languages education. Second, school-based decision making exposed Languages to diverse administrative practices, including those that reinforced elitism. Third, the falling numbers of candidates being examined in Languages in the late 1970s was only halted by the introduction of ‘Z Courses’ and by the demand for community languages.
From the earliest days of civilization — and until quite recently — it went without saying that the principal business of education was to ensure that an educated person had a mastery of language.
Modern Language Association, USA, 1977)
References (24)
(1972a) Memorandum to Principals: Teaching of Foreign Languages in Form I. 10 April, New South Wales Department of Education.
(1976) Memorandum to Principals: Specialist Areas for 1977. (76/36), New South Wales Department of Education.
(1977) Memorandum to Principals: Time Allocation for Subjects Leading to the School Certificate. (77/6), New South Wales Department of Education.
Buggie, J. (1975) The Curriculum in Secondary Education. 12 August (DRC 156), New South Wales Department of Education.
Eltis, K.J. and Cooney, G.H. (1983) Project Languages other than English in the Senior Secondary Curriculum. Sydney, Macquarie University.
Modern Languages Journal (USA) (1977) statement reprinted in Languages, A Journal for Teachers, Bulletin No. 101, 1978, p.6.
New South Wales Department of Education (1962) Report of the Minister for Education for the Year 1962. Sydney, Government Printer.
(1973) Aims of Secondary Education in New South Wales. Sydney, Directorate of Studies, Department of Education.
(1984) The Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Teaching of Languages K-12. Chairman J. Docking, Sydney, Department of Education.
NSW Committee Appointed to Survey Secondary Education in NSW (1957) Report of the Committee Appointed to Survey Education in New South Wales. H.S. Wyndham (Chairman) Sydney, Government Printer.
NSW DoE, see New South Wales Department of Education
Robinson, G.L. (1973) Foreign Language Study in NSW. State of the Art, 1973. Sydney, Centre for Research in Measurement and Evaluation.
Secondary Schools Board (1976) Base Paper on the Total Curriculum Years 7-10. Statement approved for issue by the Secondary Schools Board, 9 June.
Cited by (2)
Cited by two other publications
Baldwin, Jennifer Joan
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 14 november 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.
