A growing number of Catholic schools across Victoria are reimagining how language learning can look in the primary classroom – shifting from traditional models to something far more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable. The Teachers as Co-Learners initiative, recently featured in Teacher Magazine, is one such approach gaining momentum.
At the heart of this model is a simple but powerful idea: teachers and students learning together. Through short, daily 15-minute language sessions, classroom teachers – supported by fluent language assistants – engage alongside their students as co-learners. This model not only builds language skills, but also strengthens relationships, cultural awareness, confidence and a shared sense of purpose in the classroom. TCL fosters the active participation of the whole school community in language learning, whilst increasing teacher understanding and mastery of language acquisition principles through a comprehensive and highly scaffolded program.
Growing Across Our Diocese
Across DOBCEL, 13 schools are now implementing the TCL model, which is available in four languages (Auslan, Italian, French and Indonesian), reflecting a shared commitment to innovative, sustainable language learning.
Auslan TCL programs are underway across Ballarat at St Francis Xavier, Our Lady Help of Christians Wendouree, St Mary’s Clarkes Hill, St Brigid’s Ballan and mid-northern towns in Stawell, St Arnaud, Donald, Charlton, Sea Lake and Nhill. TCL is also being offered in the south at St Brendan’s Coragulac.
In addition, Italian is being delivered through TCL at Siena Catholic Primary School, while French is being taught at St James' in Sebastopol.
TCL in Action at Siena
At Siena, Italian is taught through the TCL approach, with Grade 3 teacher and Italian language leader Tim Gilbert co-teaching alongside language assistant Donato Pentassuglia from Puglia, Italy.
Faced with challenges in sourcing qualified language teachers, the school adopted the TCL model as a sustainable and effective solution. Through structured, daily 15-minute lessons, students engage in a balance of new language learning and retrieval practice, supported by modelling, interactive activities and opportunities to independently demonstrate their learning.
The impact is clear – students are building confidence, developing a love of language learning and strengthening their connection to culture through consistent, engaging practice.
A Model Aligned to Our Strategic Direction
The Teachers as Co-Learners initiative strongly reflects the direction of DOBCEL Strategy 2035 and the kind of system we are continuing to build together. Regardless of geographical location or personal circumstances, every student deserves access to excellence in language learning programs, empowering them to realise their full potential as active and engaged citizens of the world.
Collaborative cultures This approach places collaboration at its centre, with teachers and students learning alongside each other. It fosters environments where curiosity is encouraged and learning is shared.
Engagement and belonging Seeing their teachers modelling risk-taking through their own co-learning journey, strengthens students’ sense of belonging and encourages students feel more confident to participate, take risks and celebrate their progress.
School as community The involvement of language assistants brings authentic and essential cultural perspectives into the classroom, connecting students to experiences and expertise beyond the school.
Rich pedagogical practice for deeper learning and wellbeing Grounded in evidence-based research and best practice language acquisition pedagogy, the model promotes consistent, engaging and meaningful learning that supports both academic growth and wellbeing. TCL empowers schools and their communities to actively engage with language learning and realise their full potential as inclusive global citizens.
Sustainable stewardship By building teacher capability, language learning becomes embedded in everyday practice – ensuring long-term impact across schools.
Watch and Learn More
See the Teachers as Co-Learners approach in action by watching the video below, and explore how schools across our Diocese are bringing this innovative model to life.