Read the January VicTESOL eBulletin online now.
Click here to read online.
And if you would like to subscribe to receive future updates please click here.
Read the December VicTESOL eBulletin online now.
Click here to read online.
And if you would like to subscribe to receive future updates please click here.
The (adult) EAL Framework curriculum will be reaccredited from 1 January 2024. The EAL Framework reaccreditation Project Steering Committee (the Committee) has been established by the curriculum owner to support the reaccreditation process and will confirm the course content is appropriate and meets the required outcomes. The Department of Home Affairs is represented on the Committee along with industry representatives, RTOs and curriculum experts.
Over the coming months the Committee is seeking feedback on the draft content. To facilitate this process the Department has enlisted support from LWA to seek and compile provider feedback through Survey Monkey. LWA is currently searching for feedback on draft units for:-
- Certificate II in EAL (Employment)
- Certificate III in EAL(Employment)
- Certificate IV in EAL (Employment/Professional)
Feedback for this tranche should be provided by COB Tuesday, 14 February 2023 via the online survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KJWS75F
Any additional feedback can be emailed to info@lwa.net.au
If you have any queries regarding the above or below attachments, or you have any issues completing the online survey, please do not hesitate to email info@lwa.net.au
Draft Units
The (adult) EAL Framework curriculum will be reaccredited from 1 January 2024. The EAL Framework reaccreditation Project Steering Committee (the Committee) has been established by the curriculum owner to support the reaccreditation process and will confirm the course content is appropriate and meets the required outcomes. The Department of Home Affairs is represented on the Committee along with industry representatives, RTOs and curriculum experts.
Over the coming months the Committee is seeking feedback on the draft content. To facilitate this process the Department has enlisted support from LWA to seek and compile provider feedback through Survey Monkey. LWA is currently searching for feedback on draft units for:-
- Certificate II in EAL (Access)
- Certificate III in EAL(Access) (please note new unit VUXX74 Investigate Australian Identity)
- Certificate IV in EAL (Access
Feedback for this tranche should be provided by COB Tuesday, 31 January 2023 via the online survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7LY38BW
Any additional feedback can be emailed to info@lwa.net.au
If you have any queries regarding the above or below attachments, or you have any issues completing the online survey, please do not hesitate to email info@lwa.net.au
Certificate II in EAL (Access)
Certificate III in EAL(Access) (please note new unit VUXX74 Investigate Australian Identity)
Certificate IV in EAL (Access
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
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
2022 VicTESOL Symposium
LWA and LMERC at the 2022 Symposium
Alfredo Landeros and Ruth Woolven
LWA
LWA were pleased to share a table with LMERC (Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre) at the VicTESOL Symposium on Friday 11th November 2022. It was great to showcase with LMERC resources that related to second language acquisition and language teaching methodology for all levels, from early years to adults.
The AMEP 3 new resources: the English Ready Booklets, AMEPOnline, and the Digital Literacies Framework, Guide, and companion Teaching Resources were of great interest to symposium participants and the participants are looking forward to their publication on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website (Adult Migrant English Program page).
Languages & Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC)
The Symposium provided me with a wonderful opportunity to meet so many EAL educators and the sessions were very informative. Being new to LMERC, I enjoyed chatting about what we provide and what is important to you. We appreciate any suggestions/recommendations for resources.
LMERC is a specialist resource centre for educators across all sectors with both digital and physical resources to support EAL teaching and learning. This includes academic and practical teacher resources; culturally inclusive fiction and non-fiction; games and storytelling kits and realia (puppets, masks, clothes and toys).
We regularly provide bi-lingual dictionaries and picture books, readers and other resources to support your students in schools across Victoria. If you need any resources, you can visit us in Carlton, email for suggestions or look through our catalogue and request items. We have a growing collection of ebooks and audio books that you can access through the catalogue.
We send a newsletter once a term with information about our new resources, professional learning opportunities and relevant articles. Please email if you would like to receive the newsletter.
Telephone: (03) 9349 1418
Catalogue: lmerc.softlinkhosting.com.au
Opening hours: weekdays 9am-5pm, including school holidays
How to Join LMERC and select Register in the top right-hand corner
2022 VicTESOL Symposium
Panel of Experts: The ACTA EAL/D Roadmap
Chair:
Margaret Corrigan (Carringbush Adult Education)
Panelists:
Dr Michael Michell (University of New South Wales), Mark Melican (Blackburn English Language School), Assoc. Prof. Rod Neilsen (Deakin University)
Summary
Summary and Resources to come
Recording
Recording to come
2022 VicTESOL Symposium
Unpacking of Keynote and panel sessions
Facilitated by various VicTESOL Committee Members
Summary
Following the keynote video presentation and panel discussion, symposium participants broke into four groups to unpack the ideas and concepts presented. This acted a teacher-sharing and networking session, facilitated by VicTESOL committee members, where participants worked in small, multi-sectorial groups to discuss their learnings and how this applied to their context.
Groups captured their discussion using a shared Padlet page, guided by the following questions:
1) What’s the role of EAL teachers in your setting?
2) What is specific to your sector and what do you share with other sectors?
3) Was there anything that surprised you about what is happening in other sectors?
4) How can knowledge about other sectors
• help us support students who are transitioning to or from our sector?
• inspire us?
• inform our broad knowledge of TESOL?
• understand ourselves and our own sector?
After the Padlet activity, the small groups then reported back to the facilitator and larger group, which enabled a rich discussion that drew on a wealth of experience and knowledge. It was a valuable opportunity to explore and celebrate the similarities and differences across early childhood, primary, secondary and adult sectors, within local, state, national and international contexts. The aim is that this session will lead to the development of a shared resource, which will be published on the VicTESOL website. VicTESOL extends their gratitude to the participants for sharing their expertise and experience and their contributions to this resource.
Resources
2022 VicTESOL Symposium
Panel of Experts: Finding the Common Ground
Chair:
Assoc. Prof. Russell Cross (Melbourne Graduate School of Education)
Panelists:
Rebecca Paic (Catholic Education Commission Victoria), Angela DiSciascio (Gordon Institute of TAFE), Mairead Hannan (Collingwood English Language School), Peter James (Richmond West Primary)
Discussants:
Prof. Ben Rampton (Kings College London), Dr Mel Cooke (Kings College London)
Summary
The symposium kicked off with an engaging panel discussion facilitated by Assoc Prof Russel Cross in response to the keynote presentation by Prof Ben Rampton and Dr Mel Cooke. Panel members from the primary, secondary, Catholic and adult sectors shared their insights on the role of EAL teachers in their setting, how much EAL teachers have in common across settings, how policy and curriculum shape the work of EAL teachers and what the important aspects are of an EAL teachers’ role in different settings. The discussion illuminated a shared passion across all sectors for the holistic needs of EAL learners and the unique and privileged role that EAL teachers play in the lives of learners that goes far beyond curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. The panel ended with thematic conclusions from Ben and Mel, who had watched the discussion via zoom from the UK.
Recording
2022 VicTESOL Symposium
Learning Through Languages: Plurilingual Pedagogy in the English Classroom
Michelle Andrews (Preston North East Primary school), Hien Webb (Collingwood English Language School), and Assoc. Prof. Marianne Turner (Monash University)
Summary
Summary to come
Recording
Resources
