A brief history of Languages Teachers Victoria
In 1947, a group of passionate Languages educators founded the Modern Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria (MLTAV). Following the end of World War II in 1945, waves of new migrants began arriving in Australia and there was a pressing need to train and support Languages teachers. In those early days, many teachers were physically isolated from their peers and could not go overseas for Languages training, hence the MLTAV sought to provide materials, training and annual networking events to bring Languages Teachers together to improve practice.
The MLTAV produced its first newsletter in April 1948 and in April 1956 this publication was renamed “Babel”, with the subtitle “MLTAV Newsletter”. Babel eventually became the journal of various states and, from 1 January 1962, the journal of the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers’ Associations (AFMLTA).
On 1 September 1965, a new publication, Modern Languages, was launched. This was the key communication with members for 32 years. The emphasis of many of these MLTAV publications was on practical tips and tricks which teachers could immediately use in their classrooms.
This was followed on 1 April 1997 by the first edition of Languages Victoria, which was published and continues today (2025) as the organisation’s official professional journal. It is published twice each year.
In addition, on 1 June 1997, the first edition of LOTE Express was published, followed some 14 years later by the electronic newsletter, Languages Connect, which commenced on 1 August 2011.
Over the years the MLTAV organised competitions and excursions for students and liaised with multi-national governmental bodies to support Languages Assistants and teacher and student scholarships.
In 2025, the MLTAV became Languages Teachers Victoria (LTV). The name change was chosen to more accurately reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting quality teaching and learning of all languages across Victoria. LTV continues to provide professional learning, conferences, networking opportunities, consultation and an interface between governments and educational stakeholders, along with consultation on curriculum reviews, resource development and collaboration with key authorities to respond to and help meet the needs of Languages teachers across Victoria.
Languages Teachers Victoria is proud of its heritage, which represents the time and passion of countless Languages educators over many decades. The current members acknowledge, and are grateful, for the huge contributions made by our predecessors.
Note: LTV has constructed this brief history based on information provided by current and past members and extracted from our archives.
If you have any information to help improve the accuracy of these details, please contact us: info@ltv.au
Sources: Ian Adams, Jennifer Baldwin, Kylie Farmer, David Ingram, Margaret Gearon, Lyn Martin.
Compiled by Linton Roe (LTV Secretary – September 2025).
MLTAV Presidents at the MLTAV 75th Anniversary Celebrations in 2022 (L-R):
Andrew Morabito, Gabriella Bertolissi, Andrew Ferguson, Margaret Gearon, Denis Cunningham, Ian Adams
