Curriculum Design in Language Education

Language is central to discussions on educational policy and practice in the 21st century. Education across the curriculum takes place with language. The focus on language in education and in particular on the understanding of language as a social semiotic is significant for designers and for educators. Teachers as researchers and as reflective practitioners provide the foundation of curriculum studies with perspectives from the critical analysis and documentation of pedagogic practices. Language educators have a decisive role in the analysis of language across the curriculum and in the design of principled, responsive and challenging programs for all citizens. Curriculum design for teaching of languages is a major area for investigation. The understanding of language as a social semiotic and language learning as learning to mean is a foundation for case studies and systems and school-based research.