We provide vision, leadership, representation, advocacy, professional learning and support for quality teaching and learning of languages.

AFMLTA Executive Committee

The AFMLTA Executive Committee role holders are elected at the National Assembly of states and territories each year.

Miyako Matsui

President

Miyako Matsui is an experienced language teacher both in Japan and Australia. She completed her Ph.D. in 2022 investigating parental involvement in Japanese heritage language and cultural maintenance in Australia. She has been teaching Japanese at the University of Wollongong since 2012. Miyako has become a member of AFMLTA Promotions Officer as well as MLTANSW Secretary in 2022. She is also a member of the Australian Network for Japanese as Community Language to support families who have connections to Japanese heritage in Australia. Miyako is passionate about further developing her knowledge of the community language programs and language studies at schools in Australia.

Gillian Cordy

Immediate Past President

Gillian Cordy is retired after her long career as a teacher of Indonesian and French in secondary schools and, more recently, as Education Officer – Languages at Sydney Catholic Schools. She has promoted teacher professionalism and quality education in the languages area for many years and has been involved at senior level in the writing of language syllabuses, exam development and marking processes. Gillian has also been involved in initial language teacher education at the University of NSW.  Her long and active membership of the Modern Language Teachers Association of NSW was recognised in 2017 when she was made a life member of the association.  She served as President of MLTANSW from 2014-2016, as Vice President in 2017, and as a Committee member and Public Officer from 2018-2024.

Anne-Marie Morgan

Vice President/Acting Babel Editor

Anne-Marie is Dean of Programs, Education Futures, University of South Australia. She has a long history teaching and researching languages education, with particular interests in the work of teachers, intercultural languages teaching and learning, and the teaching and learning of Indonesian. She has published extensively in these areas, as well as authoring Indonesian textbooks and curricula, and presenting and consulting on languages education for governments, education authorities, and teaching jurisdictions.

Eleonor Palacio

Secretary

Eleonor Palacio is an accomplished Languages educator with over 20 years’ experience in the primary, secondary, and adult education sectors. She has been a Spanish examiner and curriculum panel member at the Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority and has collaborated in resources development for Language Teachers Victoria. She was the founder and Director of Farolito Spanish Language School, a language centre in Melbourne. Currently a Languages consultant at Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, she contributes to the development of Languages curriculum, resources, and professional learning offerings.

Kylie Farmer

Treasurer

Kylie Farmer is a Languages Education Consultant and an experienced primary teacher of Japanese. She was AFMLTA President from July 2014 – 2016 and has been a member of the AFMLTA executive for over 10 years. Kylie has managed and worked on a range of projects relating to Languages Education at a national and state level and is acutely aware of current issues and policies affecting teachers of Languages. She is involved in resource development and facilitates Professional Learning and Teacher Networks to support quality teaching of Languages. Kylie can be contacted to comment on issues including Preschool and Primary School Languages programs, CLIL, Bilingual Education, the ELLA project, curriculum planning and assessment, student engagement and leadership of Languages.

Amanda Pentti

Information Officer

Amanda is an experienced teacher of Japanese in Years P-10 and has held various roles in curriculum development and as a consultant to support implementation of new curriculum in Queensland. Amanda also has experience as a teacher of pre-service educators in the areas of languages and middle schooling.  She has fulfilled several roles on the Executive Committee of the Languages Teachers Queensland (trading as MLTAQ) since 2000 and the AFMLTA. Amanda can be contacted to comment on issues such as professional learning, professional standards, curriculum and assessment, early years language learning, ICTs, advocacy and leadership in languages and school improvement in the delivery of quality languages programs.

Janet Schneider

Promotions Officer

Janet Schneider is the Head of Languages at Brisbane State High School and a Japanese teacher with 25 years of experience spanning Prep to Year 12 in both private and public education systems. She is passionate about creating innovative, student-centred approaches to language learning, with a particular focus on improving engagement, communication confidence, and long-term retention. Janet was recognised on the 2023 Educators Hotlist for her contributions to language education and is an active advocate for curriculum reform. She regularly presents at national and international conferences, sharing practical strategies and insights to support teachers and promote language learning across Australia.