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

VCE Bridging EAL Units 1 & 2

24 May 2023, 4:30pm – 5:30pm, Online

Summary

On 24 May, teachers from two schools presented on VCE Bridging EAL Units 1 & 2 and how this course has been implemented in their settings.

Lucy Nguyen and Carlo Cosner from Mount Ridley Secondary College outlined the Bridging EAL study design and then detailed how they use the course to best suit the students at their school. The subject plays a key role in supporting their students and it is compulsory for all EAL students at the school to take the subject concurrently with EAL in Year 11. They demonstrated how this subject complements EAL Units 1 & 2 and English language learning across the curriculum and for practical purposes.

Rabecca Mphande from Hampton Park Secondary College then discussed the approach to the implementation of the subject at her setting. She explained the whole school approach to supporting EAL students and provided a number of practical strategies for supporting students’ language skill development in the VCE Bridging EAL classroom.

We are exploring the possibility of running further sessions in relation to this subject and providing opportunities for current and prospective teachers of VCE Bridging EAL to connect and we encourage you to contact us if this is something you would be interested in. Resources for this session are now available to members on the VicTESOL website.

Recording

Resources

Presentation 1 – Lucy Nguyen and Carlo Cosner

Download (PDF, 1.87MB)

Download (DOCX, 32KB)

Download (DOCX, 33KB)

Presentation 2 – Rabecca Mphande

Download (PDF, 1.28MB)

Download (DOCX, 265KB)

LMERC Resourcing Event

Thursday, 11 May 2023 from 4:30pm – 6:00pm,
Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC) library, Level 1, 189 Faraday Street, Carlton

This presentation was delivered by Ruth Woolven at the LMERC Resourcing and Networking Event on 11 May 2023. The library holds an extensive collection of over 25,000 resources in all formats for educators across all sectors and at all levels, early childhood to adult. At the session, the attendees were able to browse the resources, sign up for membership to borrow the resources and network with the other participants!

Download (PDF, 5.9MB)

Using Chat GPT to support EAL teaching and planning

Introducing a new series of three videos from VicTESOL on using Chat GPT to support EAL teaching and planning. Join us as we explore how to use Chat GPT to create a range of educational materials that are tailored to the needs of EAL learners. In these videos, we will show you how to create a worksheet, a differentiated model text, and a science unit for EAL learners on the topic of climate change. Watch and learn as we demonstrate how Chat GPT can help you to provide engaging and effective learning experiences for your EAL students.

Please note the above description was generated by Chat GPT!

Using Chat GPT to create a worksheet

Using Chat GPT to create a differentiated model text

Using Chat GPT To create a unit of work

Strategies for Teaching Digital Literacy and Resilience in the Adult EAL Classroom Emily Tucker March 16 2023 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Summary In her presentation, Strategies for Teaching…

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Effective implementation of translanguaging pedagogy in TESOL classrooms

Dr Kelly Shoecraft

Thursday, 9 March 2023 from 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Summary

Dr Kelly Shoecraft’s inspiring presentation encouraged us to reframe our ideas around language. She focused on the removal, or softening, of strict boundaries between languages and emphasised fun, fluidity, play and experimentation. Kelly drew on a wealth of professional experience and knowledge as an applied linguist, lecturer and TESOL educator, as well as her own personal experiences of language acquisition and living abroad. Kelly encouraged us to empower students by ‘building bridges’ between languages and positioned plurilingualism as a ‘superpower’. She gave us a range of practical examples of how we can employ plurilingual strategies in the classroom to draw on learners’ existing resources and help students develop their social and linguistic capital.

Recording

Resources

Download (PDF, 1.42MB)

Meet the Assessors Online Jenna Gomes and Michael E Daniel 2 March 2023 from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Summary In this online event, Assistant Chief Assessors Jenna Gomes and…

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EAL Writing Strategies in a Primary Setting
Prachi Patkar and Selva Jayaram

22 February 2023 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Summary

Prachi Patkar and Selve Jayaram shared a wealth of knowledge and insight into strategies that can be implemented within the learning environment to support the language development of EAL/D learners. This professional learning session focussed on EAL writing strategies in a primary setting. Prachi and Selve presented a range of effective EAL strategies to encourage and develop expression, understanding and analysis within language learning. The presenters emphasised the value and importance of investing in the development of writing skills to enrich and enhance a learner’s ability to engage with language deeply and effectively within the classroom. A balance of both theoretical understanding and practical strategies equipped the audience with a rich understanding of approaches to the teaching and learning process to support primary EAL/D learners to succeed and progress with their writing and to meet the linguistic demands of their classroom.

Recording

Resources

Prachi Presentation

Download (PDF, 1.76MB)

Selva Presentation

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The new VCE English and EAL study design
Kellie Heintz

December 6 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Summary

Kellie Heintz, as the EAL Curriculum Manager of the VCAA, presented a clear and insightful presentation on the flexibility of Units 1 and 2, building on earlier presentations around the new English/EAL Study Design. She offered a specific focus on Unit 1, Outcome 1 – Personal response – and how this outcome allows students to explore identity and the self in relation to the text of study through inferences they make around key ideas or events. For Unit 1, Outcome 2 – Crafting Texts she reminded us of the role of the mentor texts to introduce ideas. She provided multiple examples of mentor texts and ideas around the types of written texts students can create. Of note, she drew our attention back to the role of VCE teachers as having significant agency in Units 1 & 2 – that we can make decisions around offering a broad range of assessment opportunities that scaffold EAL students whilst developing their voice through writing, speaking and listening.

The presentation revealed the significant work Kellie and the VCAA have invested in listening to EAL students and teachers in the new design of these outcomes. A wonderfully clear and insightful session that supported planning for both VCE English and EAL teachers.

Recording

Resources

Download (PDF, 3.1MB)

The following resources may be of assistance in your planning

The VCAA EAL website
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/english-and-eal/Pages/Index.aspx
Planning
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/english-and-eal/Pages/Planning.aspx
Teaching and Learning
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/english-and-eal/Pages/TeachingandLearning.aspx
Assessment
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/english-and-eal/Pages/Assessment.aspx
On Demand Videos
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/news-and-events/professional-learning/VCE/Pages/VCEEnglish.aspx