Please see below ACTA’s response to the Better and Fairer Education System consultation paper. It is hoped the response will be useful in shaping the forthcoming National School Reform Agreement, which has the potential to turn the tide by including EAL/D learners within fair and equitable school provision.
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
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
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
Presentation 2 – Rabecca Mphande
Read the May 2023 VicTESOL eBulletin online now.
Click here to read online.
And if you would like to subscribe to receive future updates please click here.
The Australian Education Union and the Australian Council of TESOL Associations are jointly calling for English as an Additional Language or Dialect education in schools to be made an equity priority in the next National Schools Reform Agreement.
Please click here to view the media release and the statement
You can also hear a recording of past ACTA President and co-author of the statement Dr Michael Michell speaking on 2SM on 18 May 2023 below
Read the April 2023 VicTESOL eBulletin online now.
Click here to read online.
And if you would like to subscribe to receive future updates please click here.
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!
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
