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Non-native English Language Teachers’ Stories: Constructing Cosmopolitan Professional Identities in Australia

Non-native English Language Teachers’ Stories: Constructing Cosmopolitan Professional Identities in Australia
30 April 2024, 4:00 – 5:15pm AEST, Online

Summary

In this professional learning session, Non-native English Language Teachers’ Stories: Constructing Cosmopolitan Professional Identities in Australia, Nashid Nigar shared her recent PhD findings. In her research she interviewed 16 participants, using a hermeneutic phenomenological narrative (HPN) approach, examining the professional identity construction of immigrant English language teachers (ELTs) in Australia, who speak English as a second or additional language. Nashid discussed the concept of “hybrid professional becoming”, which transcends the binary construct of native and non-native ELTs. This allows for a ‘fluid identity shaped over time by transnational professional agency, ideologies of power, race, language, and cultural intersection’.

The session was a powerful showcase of the challenges and opportunities that exist within the Australian education system. It provided valuable insights into the experiences of immigrant ELTs and how we can foster a ‘richer, more inclusive teaching and learning environment’. Attendees were grateful for the learning opportunity and were given the chance to share their own personal and professional experiences.

VicTESOL would like to thank Nashid for generously sharing her research and for her valuable contribution to the VicTESOL professional learning community.

Recording

Resources

[gview file=”https://victesol-19e016.ingress-alpha.ewp.live/wp-content/uploads/Presentation_VicTESOL_Nigar.pdf”]
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Growing Together and Sustaining Practice

Growing Together and Sustaining Practice

VicTESOL Symposium 2023.
Friday 13th October, 2023, The Academy of Teaching and Leadership

Presenter: Simone Cassidy (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing), Merrilyn Gaulke (Bendigo Crusoe College), and Belinda Gillie Kemmer (Bendigo Crusoe College)

Summary

Summary to Come

Recording

Resources

[gview file=”https://victesol-19e016.ingress-alpha.ewp.live/wp-content/uploads/Growing-Together-and-Sustaining-Practice.questions.pdf”]
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Tensions in the Adult ELT Curriculum – Session 1

Tensions in the Adult ELT Curriculum – Session 1
March 19 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Summary

In this presentation Dr Chris Corbel talked about how The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) evolved through three curriculum eras:

  • Initially, the focus was on specific language structures.
  • Later, the emphasis shifted to language proficiency.
  • Currently, the AMEP emphasises language competencies.

These changes reflect broader shifts in language education. Compliance requirements have adapted accordingly, with a move toward outcomes-based models.

Recording

Resources

[gview file=”https://victesol-19e016.ingress-alpha.ewp.live/wp-content/uploads/Corbel-Tensions-1-for-VicTESOL-240319a.pdf”]
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Unit 3 and Unit 4 Exams

Unit 3 and Unit 4 Exams
March 12 from 4:00-5:00 pm

Summary

In this succinct presentation, Kellie Heintz from the VCAA clearly outlines all 3 sections of the VCE EAL exam through an exploration of the links between the Study Design, the examination tasks themselves and how key skills and knowledge are developed and assessed through in class activities and more formal school-based assessment. She identified key differences from the previous Study Design with regards to final exam questions for each of Sections A, B and C and the role that scaffolded, collaborative formal and informal assessment tasks focussed on specific speaking, reading and viewing, writing and listening skills can and should be explored.

This presentation is a must watch for all English and EAL teachers working not only across Units 3 & 4 as it offers explicit connections between the social elements of teaching and learning, the macro skills and how they can be tied to formal and informal assessment practices.

Recording

Resources

Link to Exam Specifications, and Sample Exam Papers

[gview file=”https://victesol-19e016.ingress-alpha.ewp.live/wp-content/uploads/Kellie-Presentation.pdf”]
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Resignation of ACTA Membership

The VicTESOL Committee has notified ACTA of its decision to resign VicTESOL’s membership.   The Committee has taken this difficult decision as the activities and requirements of ACTA membership are not in line with VicTESOL’s current resourcing priorities. VicTESOL will continue working hard for its members, responding to the needs of EAL teachers from all levels.  We will also seek to maintain our relationships with other TESOL associations, state and national, to ensure continued collaboration, advocacy and resource sharing for the benefit of our VicTESOL members and the communities we serve.