Assessing with Purpose: The Power of Theme-Based Assessment
12 June 2025. 5:30pm – 6:30pm AEST, Online
Designing effective assessments for EAL learners goes beyond isolated tasks—it requires a structured yet flexible approach that integrates language skills meaningfully. Theme-based clustering allows educators to design assessments that connect listening, speaking, reading, and writing around a central theme, making learning more engaging and relevant. This session will explore the process of designing theme-based assessments for AMEP students, from selecting appropriate themes, clustering the units and mapping language skills to developing tasks that align with curriculum outcomes. The presenters will break down the step-by-step procedure for creating cohesive assessment units that enhance student engagement and streamline the assessment process for educators.
Speakers
Lalitha Gurram
Lalitha has been involved with the AMEP program since 2012 as an Education Officer at AMES Australia and then went on to teach English as an Additional Language (EAL) in the AMEP program at Chisholm Institute in 2017 and stepped into the role of Education Manager in 2023. During this time, she led a curriculum project to support the transition to the new EAL curriculum, focusing on developing effective, cohesive, and practical assessment strategies. Lalitha’s experience working with AMEP adult learners across various proficiency levels has deepened my commitment to designing engaging, theme-based approaches that enhance student learning and assessment. She is passionate about curriculum innovation, teacher development, and creating meaningful learning experiences that support diverse learner needs. She is excited to share insights and strategies that can help educators implement theme-based clustering units effectively in their contexts.
Kim Chi Forrest
Kim Chi has been actively involved in developing assessments for the Skills First and AMEP programs at Chisholm Institute for a long time. With a deep passion for curriculum and assessments, she is dedicated to assisting the Curriculum and Assessment development team in designing meaningful assessment tools that empower teachers to assess students effectively while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Kim Chi’s expertise includes selecting units to cluster and integrating them to create holistic assessment approaches that align with diverse learning needs. She focuses on designing various assessment methods that enhance student outcomes while maintaining consistency and compliance, supporting educators and new Education Managers in delivering structured and engaging instruction.
Cost
$10 – VicTESOL members (including members of other state TESOL associations)
$30 – Non-members
Become a member today, for member prices!
Please note: VicTESOL is a not-for-profit organisation. Your registration ensures we can continue to offer high quality professional learning. Registrations are per participant. Purchasing a ticket buys the participant the right to the live online session. Registration is not to be shared with any other person who has not purchased a ticket.
