The National Statement for Languages Education in Australian Schools provides an overarching framework for State, Territory and Australian Government activities. It affirms the place of languages education in the school curriculum, and describes the purpose and nature of learning languages. This National Plan for Languages Education in Australian Schools, as an initial four-year Plan for 2005-2008, reflects an agreed commitment by all Ministers of Education to act together to address areas of common concern. It aims to: (1) establish long-term directions for languages education; (2) advance the implementation of high quality and sustainable programs; (3) maximise collaboration in the use of national, state and territory resources; and (4) provide flexibility in implementation by individual jurisdictions. The Plan focuses on six nationally agreed inter-dependent strategic areas. These are: (1) Teaching and Learning; (2) Teacher Supply and Retention; (3) Professional Learning; (4) Program Development; (5) Quality Assurance; and (6) Advocacy and Promotion of Languages Learning. At both national and individual jurisdictional level, efforts and resources will focus on the six strategic areas of the Plan, with yearly reports to MCEETYA to outline progress made, and a formal evaluation in the fourth year. The Plan reflects a commitment by Ministers of Education to work in partnership with the key stakeholders in languages education to implement and monitor the Plan. Its effectiveness will be measured through: (1) the collection and analysis of student participation data; and (2) the development of national sample assessment processes to determine the quality of student learning outcomes. Details of the evaluation processes will be developed through national agreement with all jurisdictions. (Contains 3 footnotes.)