Multilingual authors ‘standing taller’ in arts-rich translanguaging spaces
15 February 2024, 4:30pm – 5:30pm, Online

Summary

In this professional learning webinar, Dr Julie Choi and Dr Rafaela Cleeve Gerkens introduced us to some of their recent work around translanguaging in collaboration with community organisation Kids’ Own Publishing. They began with a discussion around what teachers might already do in their own classrooms to bring students’ home language into their learning. They then provided us with some practical and visual examples of a 6-week case study that involved year 4 EAL students participating in a bookmaking experience. Julie and Rafaela discussed how to foster students’ identities as resourceful multilingual writers and the importance of using arts-rich experiences. They also allowed participants to reflect on any challenges they have encountered when drawing on plurilingual strategies. The evidence highlighted how translanguaging and playful multimodal opportunities can support and lead language interactions where students can build their identities in the classroom. Thank you to both Julie and Rafaela on a very informative and useful session!

Recording

Resources

Download (PDF, 18.69MB)

TQ article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/tesq.3279

Kids Own Publishing: https://kidsownpublishing.org.au/

NGV at the VicTESOL AGM
Monday 4th December, 2023 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Virtual Event

Summary

Leah Santilli from the NGV took attendees of the 2023 VicTESOL AGM on a virtual tour of some the NGV’s collection. She showcased the strong relationship between VicTESOL and the NGV by talking about some of the wonderful events we have been involved in together this year. She also gave attendees the opportunity to be students, and try out some activities analysing different artworks.

Many thanks to Leah and her team for all their work putting this together, and we look forward to working with you again in the future!

Recording

Resources

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Steering the Agentic Vehicle: Exploring English as an Additional language (EAL) Teachers’ Professional Agency since the 2021 Victorian EAL Curriculum Reform November 22, 2023 from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm,…

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‘Engaging Learners’ for teachers working in the SEE program November 15, 2023 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Virtual Event Summary In this presentation, we all benefited from the breadth…

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For Existing users of the EALF – what’s new and different in the new curriculum
October 18 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Virtual Event

Summary

On the 17th and 18th of October adult sector teachers from all corners of Australia joined webinars that provided information on the recently accredited Victorian EAL Framework curriculum. The Curriculum Maintenance Manager, Nadia Casarotto provided an overview of the curriculum, highlighting the major changes from the current version. Angela Di Sciascio then looked at an example unit of competency from Certificate II EAL (Access) and stepped through the process of unpacking a unit. Angela also explained the relevant sections of the new unit structure for teachers as well as some tips on how to integrate units, skills and knowledge into assessment. Lots of questions were generated and these will be compiled into a FAQ page on the VicTESOL website – stay tuned for more information.

Recording

Resources

Angela DiSciascio Presentation

Download (PDF, 296KB)

Nadia Casarotto Presentation

Download (PDF, 748KB)

For new users of Victorian EALF – introduction to the new curriculum
October 17 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Virtual Event

Summary

On the 17th and 18th of October adult sector teachers from all corners of Australia joined webinars that provided information on the recently accredited Victorian EAL Framework curriculum. The Curriculum Maintenance Manager, Nadia Casarotto provided an overview of the curriculum, highlighting the major changes from the current version. Angela Di Sciascio then looked at an example unit of competency from Certificate II EAL (Access) and stepped through the process of unpacking a unit. Angela also explained the relevant sections of the new unit structure for teachers as well as some tips on how to integrate units, skills and knowledge into assessment. Lots of questions were generated and these will be compiled into a FAQ page on the VicTESOL website – stay tuned for more information.

Recording

Resources

Angela DiSciascio Presentation

Download (PDF, 333KB)

Nadia Casarotto Presentation

Download (PDF, 775KB)

The role of schools in supporting settlement: Focusing on wellbeing in migrant and refugee education.

August 30 from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, Virtual Event

Summary

This session explored the vital role schools play in the settlement journey of migrant and refugee-background students. Mollie Daphne (Secondary School Teacher & PhD candidate, Victoria University) unpacked key frameworks which support the conceptualisation of settlement as a multifaceted, multidirectional process shaped by various factors. Throughout the session, participants were invited to consider the roles schools can play, through collaboration with other services, towards supporting the academic and social and emotional needs of newly arrived children and young people.

The session also including an engaging panel of presenters who all currently work in schools, supporting newly arrived students: Elena Di Mascolo, Sarah Douglas, Meagan Becker and Megan Salter. The panel discussed the challenges schools face in seeking to address settlement needs and shared examples from their own extensive professional experience of practical ways schools can advocate for and support young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

Recording

Resources

Download (PDF, 971KB)

Online LMERC Resourcing Event

September 6 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Virtual Event

Summary

Participants had the opportunity to learn about Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC) and the resources and assistance available.

Recording

Resources

Resources to Come

 

VCE – New study design in 2024

August 1 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Online Webinar

Summary

The VCE English/EAL New Study Design 2024 session was attended by people across sectors and was very well received. Kellie Heintz provided an extremely detailed presentation moving through each outcome for Units 3 and 4, highlighting the differences between the old and new curriculum as it is to be implemented in 2024. She offered not only possible resources to support us, and a range of ways to approach some key aspects of outcomes but also a wonderful scope of teacher and student agency in the teaching and learning opportunities, especially in relation to the new Outcome, Creating texts. It is an exciting new Study Design and very much worth watching for ideas and resources not only for VCE but in 7-10 also! A must see for new and experienced English and EAL teachers.

Recording

Resources

Presentation

Download (PDF, 748KB)

Links to Youtube clips for EAL

 Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Summary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AoTU2YvOR0

Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIPOx0AzHQk

Flames by Robbie Arnott
Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPEdGitxhLg

We Have always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Commentary & analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4iO_CT_als

Rainbow’s End by Jane Harrison
Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=judMYrYf3J4

Issue
Open Plan Classrooms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9fa7wXNA4A

Professional learning for EAL teachers in the context of digital transformation in the VET sector

July 26 from 4:00 pm – 5:30pm, online

Summary

The professional learning session on digital transformation in the VET sector for EAL teachers by Tanja Rykovska on 26th July was highly successful in introducing the European Framework for Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu) and SELFIE for Teachers – an online self-reflection tool designed to evaluate their digital literacy skills within the context of professional engagement, teaching, assessment practices, and supporting learners’ digital skills development. Participants engaged in hands-on experience with SELFIE for Teachers, using the tool to self-reflect on their current digital competencies. The tool guided teachers through a series of questions, enabling them to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Participants left the session with a renewed enthusiasm for leveraging digital technologies in their classrooms and a clear path for enhancing their digital competencies. The practical insights and discussions fostered collaboration and professional growth, positioning teachers to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for their EAL adult learners.

Recording

Resources

Download (PDF, 661KB)

Links

https://ecas.ec.europa.eu/cas/eim/external/register.cgi

https://education.ec.europa.eu/selfie-for-teachers