Voices in VicTESOL: A VicTESOL Podcast
Our episodes
Episode 10 – Inclusion policy for English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) students with A/P Anna Hogan
Associate Professor Anna Hogan, Melissa Barnes and Katrina Tour discuss how policy privatisation shapes the provision of EAL/D support in schools, highlighting how educators interpret inclusion policies in practice and navigate tensions between mainstreaming and targeted support for EAL/D learners.
Episode 9 – Non-native English-speaking teachers in Australia with Dr Nashid Nigar
Nashid Nigar, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes discuss the experiences of non-native English-speaking teachers in Australia as they navigate the challenges of entering the classroom.
Related article –Nigar, N., Kostogriz, A., Gurney, L., & Janfada, M. (2023). ‘No one would give me that job in Australia’: when professional identities intersect with how teachers look, speak, and where they come from. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 45(1), 70–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2023.2239182
Episode 8 – AI literacy for English language learners with Dr Katrina Tour and Prof Mark Pegrum
Katrina Tour, Mark Pegrum and Melissa Barnes explore why AI literacy matters and how teachers can support their students to develop it. The episode offers practical ideas for integrating AI literacy into classrooms in ways that empower both teachers and learners.
Related article – Tour, E., Pegrum, M., & Macdonald, S. (2025). Engaging English language learners in ai literacy practices: A conceptual framework and practical strategies for educators. English Australia Journal, 41(1), 27-46.
Episode 7 – Multicultural Days in Australian schools as forms of lazy multiculturalism with Prof Megan Watkins
Prof Megan Watkins, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes take a critical perspective on traditional celebrations of Multicultural Days in Australian schools. This conversation explores why traditional events filled with flags, food, music and costumes often represent a missed opportunity for meaningful multicultural education and sheds light on how schools can approach such events differently.
S1E6 – Use of learning resources by displaced Ukrainians in Australia with Dr Tetiana Bogachenko
Tetiana Bogachenko, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes explore the journeys of displaced people from Ukraine in Australia and discuss how they navigate education, employment, and community participation using both formal and informal learning resources. From understanding their unique challenges to uncovering the resilience and agency they bring to their new lives, this conversation sheds light on the role of education in displacement and what it means to rebuild life in a new land.
Related article: Bogachenko, T., & Burke, R. (2024). Educational ‘exchange rates’ in (re) settlement: The use of formal and informal learning resources by displaced people from Ukraine in Australia. International Journal of Educational Research, 127, 102412.
S1E5 – Trauma‑informed university support for refugee background students with A/P Sally Baker
Sally Baker, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes explore trauma-informed university support for students from refugee backgrounds in Australia and what it means to create a university culture that truly cares.
S1E4 – School context in refugee education with Dr Melanie Baak and Dr Sarah McDonald
Melanie Baak, Sarah McDonald, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes explore how different school environments shape educational experiences for students from refugee backgrounds, encouraging educators and school leaders to reflect on their practices and consider new strategies for supporting refugee students.
S1E3 – Arts-Based Approaches to Languages Education with A/P Rachel Burke
Rachel Burke, Katrina Tour, and Melissa Barnes explore arts-based approaches to language education for young learners from refugee backgrounds, uncovering the ways they can create inclusive, engaging, and hopeful learning spaces for some of the most vulnerable yet resilient young learners. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation that promises to change the way we think about language education and the possibilities it holds for children from refugee backgrounds.
S1E2 – Enablers and barriers for plurilingual practices: How EAL/D teachers support new arrivals in a rural secondary setting with David Partridge
David Partridge, Melissa Barnes and Katrina Tour explore a compelling topic that intersects language learning and support for new arrivals in rural secondary schools.They discuss the dynamic landscape of plurilingual practices within rural educational settings, examining both the facilitators and challenges faced by English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) teachers. Additionally, many practical strategies are offered to support educators interested in bringing students’ home into their classrooms.
S1E1 – Generative AI in language learning with Dr Edwin Creely
Dr Edwin Creely (Monash University), Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes are diving into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its impact on language learning. They discuss exciting opportunities that generative AI offers for language learning and challenges associated with its use. They also speculate about the future developments in AI technologies and what they might mean for language learners and teachers.
Episode 10 – Inclusion policy for English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) students with A/P Anna Hogan
Associate Professor Anna Hogan, Melissa Barnes and Katrina Tour discuss how policy privatisation shapes the provision of EAL/D support in schools, highlighting how educators interpret inclusion policies in practice and navigate tensions between mainstreaming and targeted support for EAL/D learners.
Episode 9 – Non-native English-speaking teachers in Australia with Dr Nashid Nigar
Nashid Nigar, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes discuss the experiences of non-native English-speaking teachers in Australia as they navigate the challenges of entering the classroom.
Related article –Nigar, N., Kostogriz, A., Gurney, L., & Janfada, M. (2023). ‘No one would give me that job in Australia’: when professional identities intersect with how teachers look, speak, and where they come from. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 45(1), 70–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2023.2239182
Episode 8 – AI literacy for English language learners with Dr Katrina Tour and Prof Mark Pegrum
Katrina Tour, Mark Pegrum and Melissa Barnes explore why AI literacy matters and how teachers can support their students to develop it. The episode offers practical ideas for integrating AI literacy into classrooms in ways that empower both teachers and learners.
Related article – Tour, E., Pegrum, M., & Macdonald, S. (2025). Engaging English language learners in ai literacy practices: A conceptual framework and practical strategies for educators. English Australia Journal, 41(1), 27-46.
Episode 7 – Multicultural Days in Australian schools as forms of lazy multiculturalism with Prof Megan Watkins
Prof Megan Watkins, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes take a critical perspective on traditional celebrations of Multicultural Days in Australian schools. This conversation explores why traditional events filled with flags, food, music and costumes often represent a missed opportunity for meaningful multicultural education and sheds light on how schools can approach such events differently.
S1E6 – Use of learning resources by displaced Ukrainians in Australia with Dr Tetiana Bogachenko
Tetiana Bogachenko, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes explore the journeys of displaced people from Ukraine in Australia and discuss how they navigate education, employment, and community participation using both formal and informal learning resources. From understanding their unique challenges to uncovering the resilience and agency they bring to their new lives, this conversation sheds light on the role of education in displacement and what it means to rebuild life in a new land.
Related article: Bogachenko, T., & Burke, R. (2024). Educational ‘exchange rates’ in (re) settlement: The use of formal and informal learning resources by displaced people from Ukraine in Australia. International Journal of Educational Research, 127, 102412.
S1E5 – Trauma‑informed university support for refugee background students with A/P Sally Baker
Sally Baker, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes explore trauma-informed university support for students from refugee backgrounds in Australia and what it means to create a university culture that truly cares.
S1E4 – School context in refugee education with Dr Melanie Baak and Dr Sarah McDonald
Melanie Baak, Sarah McDonald, Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes explore how different school environments shape educational experiences for students from refugee backgrounds, encouraging educators and school leaders to reflect on their practices and consider new strategies for supporting refugee students.
S1E3 – Arts-Based Approaches to Languages Education with A/P Rachel Burke
Rachel Burke, Katrina Tour, and Melissa Barnes explore arts-based approaches to language education for young learners from refugee backgrounds, uncovering the ways they can create inclusive, engaging, and hopeful learning spaces for some of the most vulnerable yet resilient young learners. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation that promises to change the way we think about language education and the possibilities it holds for children from refugee backgrounds.
S1E2 – Enablers and barriers for plurilingual practices: How EAL/D teachers support new arrivals in a rural secondary setting with David Partridge
David Partridge, Melissa Barnes and Katrina Tour explore a compelling topic that intersects language learning and support for new arrivals in rural secondary schools.They discuss the dynamic landscape of plurilingual practices within rural educational settings, examining both the facilitators and challenges faced by English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) teachers. Additionally, many practical strategies are offered to support educators interested in bringing students’ home into their classrooms.
S1E1 – Generative AI in language learning with Dr Edwin Creely
Dr Edwin Creely (Monash University), Katrina Tour and Melissa Barnes are diving into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its impact on language learning. They discuss exciting opportunities that generative AI offers for language learning and challenges associated with its use. They also speculate about the future developments in AI technologies and what they might mean for language learners and teachers.
Assessment and Reporting for EAL students in primary and secondary schools – 18 November 2021
Summary
This is a Members Only resource page. Please log in and visit https://victesol.vic.edu.au/2021/11/19/members-resource-page-assessment-and-reporting-for-eal-students-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/ to access the recording and other resources for this webinar.
Online Panel Discussion
What does effective assessment look like? How do we give feedback that shows students their strengths and assists them to improve? How is assessment practice changing to meet current research?
In this session, we looked at the big and small questions about assessment and reporting as it applies to EAL teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. VicTESOL assembled a panel of primary, secondary and new arrivals teachers, as well as department and university representation to take part in a broad discussion.
Presenters
- Anna-Lise Wallis: EAL Unit, Department of Education
- Prachi Patkar: Noble Park English Language School
- Sarah Martin: Blackburn English Language School
- Tahnee Dwyer: Dandenong High School
- Ute Knoch: Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne
- Michelle Andrews (Panel Host): Preston North East Primary School.
Assessment and Reporting for EAL students in primary and secondary schools – 18 November 2021
Summary
This is a Members Only resource page. Please log in and visit https://victesol.vic.edu.au/2021/11/19/members-resource-page-assessment-and-reporting-for-eal-students-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/ to access the recording and other resources for this webinar.
Online Panel Discussion
What does effective assessment look like? How do we give feedback that shows students their strengths and assists them to improve? How is assessment practice changing to meet current research?
In this session, we looked at the big and small questions about assessment and reporting as it applies to EAL teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. VicTESOL assembled a panel of primary, secondary and new arrivals teachers, as well as department and university representation to take part in a broad discussion.
Presenters
- Anna-Lise Wallis: EAL Unit, Department of Education
- Prachi Patkar: Noble Park English Language School
- Sarah Martin: Blackburn English Language School
- Tahnee Dwyer: Dandenong High School
- Ute Knoch: Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne
- Michelle Andrews (Panel Host): Preston North East Primary School.
Assessment and Reporting for EAL students in primary and secondary schools – 18 November 2021
Summary
This is a Members Only resource page. Please log in and visit https://victesol.vic.edu.au/2021/11/19/members-resource-page-assessment-and-reporting-for-eal-students-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/ to access the recording and other resources for this webinar.
Online Panel Discussion
What does effective assessment look like? How do we give feedback that shows students their strengths and assists them to improve? How is assessment practice changing to meet current research?
In this session, we looked at the big and small questions about assessment and reporting as it applies to EAL teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. VicTESOL assembled a panel of primary, secondary and new arrivals teachers, as well as department and university representation to take part in a broad discussion.
Presenters
- Anna-Lise Wallis: EAL Unit, Department of Education
- Prachi Patkar: Noble Park English Language School
- Sarah Martin: Blackburn English Language School
- Tahnee Dwyer: Dandenong High School
- Ute Knoch: Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne
- Michelle Andrews (Panel Host): Preston North East Primary School.
Assessment and Reporting for EAL students in primary and secondary schools – 18 November 2021
Summary
This is a Members Only resource page. Please log in and visit https://victesol.vic.edu.au/2021/11/19/members-resource-page-assessment-and-reporting-for-eal-students-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/ to access the recording and other resources for this webinar.
Online Panel Discussion
What does effective assessment look like? How do we give feedback that shows students their strengths and assists them to improve? How is assessment practice changing to meet current research?
In this session, we looked at the big and small questions about assessment and reporting as it applies to EAL teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. VicTESOL assembled a panel of primary, secondary and new arrivals teachers, as well as department and university representation to take part in a broad discussion.
Presenters
- Anna-Lise Wallis: EAL Unit, Department of Education
- Prachi Patkar: Noble Park English Language School
- Sarah Martin: Blackburn English Language School
- Tahnee Dwyer: Dandenong High School
- Ute Knoch: Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne
- Michelle Andrews (Panel Host): Preston North East Primary School.
Assessment and Reporting for EAL students in primary and secondary schools – 18 November 2021
Summary
This is a Members Only resource page. Please log in and visit https://victesol.vic.edu.au/2021/11/19/members-resource-page-assessment-and-reporting-for-eal-students-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/ to access the recording and other resources for this webinar.
Online Panel Discussion
What does effective assessment look like? How do we give feedback that shows students their strengths and assists them to improve? How is assessment practice changing to meet current research?
In this session, we looked at the big and small questions about assessment and reporting as it applies to EAL teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. VicTESOL assembled a panel of primary, secondary and new arrivals teachers, as well as department and university representation to take part in a broad discussion.
Presenters
- Anna-Lise Wallis: EAL Unit, Department of Education
- Prachi Patkar: Noble Park English Language School
- Sarah Martin: Blackburn English Language School
- Tahnee Dwyer: Dandenong High School
- Ute Knoch: Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne
- Michelle Andrews (Panel Host): Preston North East Primary School.
Assessment and Reporting for EAL students in primary and secondary schools – 18 November 2021
Summary
This is a Members Only resource page. Please log in and visit https://victesol.vic.edu.au/2021/11/19/members-resource-page-assessment-and-reporting-for-eal-students-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/ to access the recording and other resources for this webinar.
Online Panel Discussion
What does effective assessment look like? How do we give feedback that shows students their strengths and assists them to improve? How is assessment practice changing to meet current research?
In this session, we looked at the big and small questions about assessment and reporting as it applies to EAL teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. VicTESOL assembled a panel of primary, secondary and new arrivals teachers, as well as department and university representation to take part in a broad discussion.
Presenters
- Anna-Lise Wallis: EAL Unit, Department of Education
- Prachi Patkar: Noble Park English Language School
- Sarah Martin: Blackburn English Language School
- Tahnee Dwyer: Dandenong High School
- Ute Knoch: Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne
- Michelle Andrews (Panel Host): Preston North East Primary School.
Assessment and Reporting for EAL students in primary and secondary schools – 18 November 2021
Summary
This is a Members Only resource page. Please log in and visit https://victesol.vic.edu.au/2021/11/19/members-resource-page-assessment-and-reporting-for-eal-students-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/ to access the recording and other resources for this webinar.
Online Panel Discussion
What does effective assessment look like? How do we give feedback that shows students their strengths and assists them to improve? How is assessment practice changing to meet current research?
In this session, we looked at the big and small questions about assessment and reporting as it applies to EAL teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. VicTESOL assembled a panel of primary, secondary and new arrivals teachers, as well as department and university representation to take part in a broad discussion.
Presenters
- Anna-Lise Wallis: EAL Unit, Department of Education
- Prachi Patkar: Noble Park English Language School
- Sarah Martin: Blackburn English Language School
- Tahnee Dwyer: Dandenong High School
- Ute Knoch: Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne
- Michelle Andrews (Panel Host): Preston North East Primary School.