Resources and information for languages and linguistics school educators
School of Language and Linguistics, the University of Melbourne
About
The School of Languages and Linguistics (SOLL) at the University of Melbourne welcomes and encourages active engagement and collaboration between SOLL languages and linguistics teaching programs and primary/ secondary school educators. This webpage has been designed to provide information and resources to primary and secondary languages and linguistics (English Language) educators, and school career advisors.
Engage with the School
Please contact SOLL at soll-info@unimelb.edu.au if you work in languages and linguistics teaching in the primary or secondary education sector and are interested in connecting with relevant SOLL academic staff. Options include campus excursions and SOLL staff visiting schools to provide inspirational talks on the benefits of learning a language or studying linguistics, as well as outline pathways to study languages/linguistics at the University of Melbourne.
Resources
Studying or teaching VCE French, German or Italian? Purchase our kits to help prepare for VCE exams.
An interview with student Cerys Evans on exchange in Italy.
Learn about each language program, what study options are available and how students can enhance their language studies.
This online exhibition explores aspects of the lives of young Australians in France and Belgium during the First World War.
We dive into the cultures, arts and histories that underpin and inform the world's diverse languages.
Visit our school website to learn more about SOLL, including our disciplines and research.
Some of our language experts
Matt Absalom (Italian studies)
Matt Absalom, from Italian Studies, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for connecting with schools and teachers. A former President of the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (AFMLTA) and an award winning educator, he's a recognised voice at professional learning opportunities for languages educators throughout the country. Matt firmly believes in making the University a place for all. His practical engagement with schools includes touring his Italian theatre project to regional Victoria, spearheading the Italian Studies program’s place in the University of Melbourne Extension Program, coordinating a range of VCE activities, and fostering direct relationships through campus visits and school outreach.
Dr Tess Do (French Studies)
Tess Do, Senior Lecturer in French Studies, brings a rich transnational perspective and a deep commitment to fostering multilingual engagement in her teaching and research. A trilingual educator with roots in Vietnam and academic experience across New Zealand, Canada, and Australia, she draws on her personal and scholarly journey to inspire students and educators alike. Her work extends beyond the classroom through her ongoing engagement with the French teaching community, including her previous co-leadership of the Winter School for VCE French teachers and her continued mentorship of former postgraduate students now working in French education across Australia.
Professor Heather Benbow (German Studies)
Professor Heather Benbow, from German Studies, has taught German language and culture at the University of Melbourne for over twenty years. In her work, and as a committee member of Scholarships for Australian-German Student Exchange, she has supported generations of students of German. She teaches German language through her research interests of literature, gender studies, migration studies and cultural history. Currently she is researching the German-language theatre inside the First-World-War internment camp at Liverpool, near Sydney. Having been a rural, first-in-family student herself, Heather has a strong motivation to ensure equal access to education for students from all backgrounds.
Contact us
- soll-info@unimelb.edu.au