The President of the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations presents an overview of the current situation in the teaching of languages. The article examines data on student participation in languages, outlines activities being undertaken collaboratively at the national level and provides information about recent Australian Government initiatives. It makes the case for strengthening the place of languages in the curriculum and improving languages education in schools, equipping students to participate actively and meaningfully in a globalised world.

This week Curriculum Leadership publishes an edited excerpt from the preface of What’s Worth Fighting for in the Principalship?, 2nd edition, by Michael Fullan. The author argues that at the same time that the principal has been elevated and viewed as critical to success, 'the principalship itself is sinking – overloaded and pulled down. In this book, I seek a way out of the current dilemma. I am interested in helping incumbent and would-be principals leverage action that will change the system positively in small and large ways'.