In 2012, the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development notified schools of the change to EAL (English as an Additional Language). The Australian Curriculum also uses the term ‘English as an additional language or dialect (EAL or EAL/D) instead of the term ‘English as a second language (ESL)’.
In Margery Hertzberg’s book (2012) Teaching English language learners in mainstream classes she states:
“EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or dialect) is the term used in the Australian Curriculum , replacing the still commonly used term ESL (English as a Second Language). EAL/D is used because it acknowledges the students in our schools who may already speak (and possibly read and write ) in two or more languages and/or dialects.
EAL/D suggests an additive function and implicitly validates that the person does have an existing language(s) and/or dialect(s). The word additional acknowledges this wealth of linguistic ability as an asset.” p. 2
VicTESOL Committee was unable to hold its planned mini conference this Saturday 27 April 2013. The decision was made in light of the recent industrial action in the schools sector which involved bans on a range of additional activities. The Committee has decided that it will be unable to hold the mini conference in 2013. We have a number of other activities planned for our 2013 professional learning program. Details are available on our Upcoming events page. We look forward to seeing you there.
Welcome to Leena Sharma is our new Association Officer. We said farewell to Eliza Hovey last month who has moved to a new position at the University of Melbourne. We wish her well and thank her for her wonderful work. Leena is at the VicTESOL office on Tuesdays and Fridays. Our new number is 0488 224 665 - or email victesol@victesol.vic.edu.au
************************************************************************************************************************************************
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
Australian governments have developed the National Strategy which is a 10-year framework. It was developed as a joint initiative by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, in consultation with key stakeholders, through the COAG Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (SCOTESE).
Australian governments have agreed the following overall performance measure for the National Strategy: By 2022, two thirds of working age Australians will have literacy and numeracy skills at Level 3 or above.*
* Refers to the levels in the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALLS), undertaken in 2006 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Skill Level 3 on the ALLS scale is considered by COAG to be the minimum level required by individuals to meet the complex demands of work and life in modern economies.
The Strategy brings a national focus to improving education and employment outcomes for working age Australians with low levels of foundation skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employability skills). The Strategy is centred on the needs of the adult learner and includes four key priority areas for action, with agreed actions for each at the national, jurisdictional and systemic level.
The Strategy can be viewed and downloaded from the SCOTESE website.
The Australian Government, through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education has released a Discussion Paper on LLNP service delivery entitled 'Creating a more flexible LLNP in 2013-16'.
The Government is seeking feedback and comments on possible changes to the LLNP and arrangements for the next contract round. The new contract round to provide LLNP services is 2013-16 and will commence on 1 July 2013.
As many of you will be aware, the AEU is currently involved in an industrial dispute which includes a ban on implementation of the National Curriculum. In light of this, VicTESOL has decided to postpone the August 16th Professional Learning afternoon that was to focus on literature in the national curriculum. We apologise for any inconvenience. A new date will be announced in due course.
Senior EAL/D drafts available for comment. on the ACARA website.
VicTESOL will participate in national consultations in June 2012.
EAL teachers are invited to participate in an online survey by University of South Australia. Details attached /content/EAL_Teachers_Invitation_to_participate_in_survey_Uni_SA.pdf
VicTESOL welcomed over 50 participants to its May 3 professional learning with an overall positive response to the activities. We look forward to having an even more successful session on Thursday August 16. Feedback from participants in this month's session will be used to guide the program and processes for August 16. The focus will be on using literature in the classroom as a tie in with the International Year of Reading 2012.
2 Concurrent workshops for schools EAL teachers and adult ESL teachers followed by a general session on using songs in your EAL/ ESL classroom.
Go to our Upcoming Events page to find out more
By sharing our own tales of immigrant journeys, and by telling stories of previous immigrant generations, we create a classroom that is conducive to the telling and sharing of stories. In doing so, we discover the uniqueness of each personal journey, as well as what we share in common – both that which is personal and universal. Author Arnold Zable will draw upon on his own journey as a writer of immigrant journeys, and his extensive work in migrant education to provide models for the telling of stories in the classroom.
Arnold Zable is an acclaimed writer, storyteller, and educator who has depicted many immigrant journeys in novels such as Café Scheherazade, Scraps of Heaven and Sea of Many Returns, and memoirs such as Jewels and Ashes, The Fig Tree, and most recently, Violin Lessons. He is the author of numerous, features, essays, columns, and co-author of the play, Kan Yama Kan, in which asylum seekers recount their stories. Zable has spoken extensively about the immigrant experience throughout Australia. He is president of the Melbourne Centre of International PEN and has a doctorate from the School of Creative Arts, Melbourne University, where he was recently appointed a Vice-Chancellor’s fellow.Level 2, Statewide Resources Centre, 150 Palmerston Street, Carlton
Parking. There is some parking in nearby streets, or at the following carparks: Lygon Court (Safeway) on Drummond Street, Carlton (5 minute walk); Elgin Street carpark near corner of Lygon and Elgin Streets, Carlton (5 minute walk).
Tram No 96 from Swanston Street to Lygon Street and Elgin Street, Carlton or Bus 250 / 251 from Melbourne Central to Elgin and Rathdowne Street.
The agenda for the upcoming AGM is now available here.
For further information on committee roles and a nomination form, please click here.
To join VicTESOL, please fill out the online member application or send us a membership form.
Don't forget to send your RSVP to victesol@victesol.vic.edu.au by 20 February.
A reminder that our AGM is coming up on Thursday 1 March at 5.30pm. We encourage you to come along! Please send your RSVP to victesol@victesol.vic.edu.au.
Members, please log in to the Resources page in order to download the committee nomination form and a draft copy of the revised Constitution.
Thank you to all members for your support of VicTESOL in 2011!
The VicTESOL office is now closed for the year.
We will be reopening in 2012 at our new premises at the Statewide Resources Centre, 150 Palmerston St, Carlton. We will respond to email queries from 1 February.
2 NOVEMBER 2011
5 OCTOBER 2011
"TESOL as a Global Trade – Ethics, Equity and Ecology"
Call for Abstracts opened on 1st February 2011 and closes on 1st March 2012.
Presentation options are a paper, workshop, colloquium or poster session and must relate to one of the following conference strands:
1. Indigenous Education and Indigenous Language Issues
2. TEFL and EAP
3. Refugees and New Arrivals: Issues and Initiatives
4. Language Education Management
5. Oracy (incorporating Pronunciation)
6. Effective TESOL Pedagogies:
1. Early Childhood and Primary
2. Middle Years
3. Senior Secondary
4. Adult
VicTESOL encourages its members to put in a proposal!
1 SEPTEMBER 2011
22 AUGUST 2011
Unfortunately Stanley is unable to continue in his role as our Administrative Officer. Stanley has worked tirelessly to improve the operations of VicTESOL this year and we thank him very much for his efforts.
We welcome Lauren Simpkins to the administration role. Lauren will be in the office at the following times:
Tuesday 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Friday 11.30am - 3.30pm
Lauren can also be contacted via our email address: victesol@victesol.vic.edu.au
1 JUNE 2011
Registration for VicTESOL members is now open! Don’t miss the opportunity to have first choice of workshops by registering before 16 June. Non-members can also enjoy discounted rates by being an early bird and registering before 1 July. Registration fee for non-members will include a year’s subscription to VicTESOL. Registration closes on 15 August.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Professor Chris Davison provide the opening keynote: Reclaiming Assessment: Assessment for Learning in TESOL. Other keynote speakers are Professor Kristina Love, Dr Jenny Hammond and Dr Russell Cross. The conference program and information about registration are available at http://registrations.vate.asn.au:8888/details/108
Register early to get the best choice of sessions and encourage friends and colleagues to visit the website for more information!
11 MARCH 2011
Stanley joins us from the University of Melbourne where he is currently completing the final year of a combined degree in Linguistics and Economics. He is also a Resident Tutor at University College, and a tutor in Japanese and Economics for the Department of Economics, Trinity College and Janet Clarke Hall.
As a result of this change, the new VicTESOL office hours will be:
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
Friday 9am - 12pm
Stanley will be contactable in the VicTESOL office as well as via the VicTESOL office email: victesol@victesol.vic.edu.au
5 FEBRUARY 2011
With an increasing number of newly arrived students adding to the already significant number of ESL learners in our schools, a professional association such as VicTESOL has an important partnership role to play in supporting teachers.
I urge you to attend the AGM and encourage any colleagues to also attend.
The details of the AGM are :
Date and time: Thursday 24th February, 2011 5.30 – 8 pm
Venue: Suite 2, 134-136 Cambridge Street, Collingwood
(boardroom beside VicTESOL office)
5.30 – 6.30 AGM
6.30 – 7.15 Guest speaker, Paris Aristotle AM
7.15 – 8.00 Refreshments
The VicTESOL AGM will be followed by a guest speaker Paris Aristotle AM.
Paris is the Director of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, also known as Foundation House, a position he has held since the organisation’s establishment in 1987. Many teachers will be aware of the work of Foundation House and the support it provides to students and teachers in schools, in the adult sector and in a range of community settings.
If you are able to attend, could you please advise the VicTESOL office by email before 18 February at: victesol@victesol.vic.edu.au
9 DECEMBER 2010
26 NOVEMBER 2010
We would like to thank Janine Breadmore for a wonderful presentation. The feedback we received was very positive. Her presentation gave participants a wide range of issues to think about in terms of teaching language, distilling scientific concepts and using interactive computer technology to support learning. Her insights into ESL learners both here and in China were also very pertinent. We are sure many of those present will feel inspired to incorporate computer-based activities into their classrooms. It was also important to hear about the experience of being part of an Expo in Shanghai and to be reminded that ESL teaching is, by nature, flexible and actively responds to student needs.
We would also like to thank the 27 teachers who attended on such a hot day! It was great to see some familiar as well as some new faces and to have a group of teachers learning, networking and debriefing over a glass of wine and some nibbles.
12 NOVEMBER 2010
In the lead up to the Victorian State Election, VicTESOL President Mairead Hannan made the following policy request to Sue Pennicuik, Martin Dixon and Bronwyn Pike.
The replies were as follows:
