Evolution of Language Education within Official Accounts of Queensland Curriculum

The important role of language in education has long been recognised, both as a learning medium and as a way of communicating expected learning outcomes. Since 1989, education policy in Queensland has required that statements about language education must be included in all Senior (the final two years of secondary school) syllabus documents. This requirement has entailed a concerted attempt to integrate language and communication in each subject offered in the post-compulsory curriculum. As an introduction to a national study of language and literacy education in the post-compulsory years, a scan of all Senior syllabus documents in Queensland was undertaken. This paper presents the findings of this scan and explores the emerging understandings, at policy level, about the relationship between language and curriculum. It is concluded that inclusion of the Language Education Statement has been useful in directing the attention of different subject areas to language issues with development leading to more embedded and subject specific considerations of literacy.