Nature and purpose of the Framework

Nature and purpose of the Framework

Classical languages are distinct within the languages learning area of the Australian Curriculum. While they have ceased to be languages of everyday communication, Classical languages provide a key to the literature, history, thought and culture of the ancient worlds and societies that produced them. Each is removed from the others in time and place and boasts its own often large and rich body of ancient literature.

The Framework for Classical Languages (the Framework) is the first national curriculum document for Years 7–10 to guide the development of curricula and teaching and learning programs for a range of Classical languages in these years of schooling. By providing a national framework, it is intended that future educational development in Classical languages will result in curricula and school programs that are nationally consistent.

The purpose of the Framework is to guide the development of language-specific curricula or teaching and learning programs for Classical languages. The Framework was used to develop the curricula for Latin and Classical Greek. Taken together, the Framework and the language-specific curricula for Latin and Classical Greek may be used as the basis for state and territory education and school authorities to develop language-specific curricula, or for schools to develop teaching and learning programs for other Classical languages, including those that are offered in Australian schools (Classical Hebrew and Sanskrit) and others, such as Classical Chinese.