Professional Learning

A three day ESL Orientation Program is conducted early in Term 1 each year for teachers newly appointed to ESL positions. It is conducted in regions and participation involves attendance at workshops, school visits, between session tasks and mentoring support.

ESL Pedagogy Action Inquiry Projects are conducted in a range of schools each year. Projects comprise a one-year professional development program that involves ESL and class teachers in a focused investigation relating to ESL teaching and learning.

ESL in the Mainstream is a professional development program for classroom and subject teachers of ESL students. Courses are conducted by regional Multicultural/ESL consultants and experienced ESL teachers for interested schools or groups of schools in their regions.

ESL New Arrivals Program teachers in rural and regional schools are linked with an experienced ESL teacher in a school or IEC. These teachers offer advice on programming, organisation, assessment, resources and lesson planning. Mentors undertake an initial one day training course and attend twice yearly mentor support network meetings for ongoing professional support.

This professional development package supports teachers across all KLAs in using the ESL Scales to inform decisions relating to assessment, recording, reporting, classroom practice, planning and programming. Included in the package are Presenter's Notes, a Participant’s Manual, and a video.

ESL students' developing English language and literacy competence is assessed using the ESL Scales. The ESL Scales is an assessment and reporting framework which describes language skills in the areas of oral interaction, reading and responding and writing across a number of levels.

Training in the use of ESL Scales is provided by regional Multicultural / ESL consultants within orientation programs, in after-school sessions, as part of school development days, and in a range of other forums.

The Higher School Certificate English ESL course is open to ESL students who have been studying in English as the language of instruction for five years or less. ESL students who have studied in English for more than 5 years can enrol in the English Standard or Advanced courses.

Training is provided to teachers of the HSC ESL course by regional Multicultural / ESL consultants.

The Certificate in Spoken and Written English (CSWE) is a VETAB accredited course offering competency based assessment of English language development. A three day training program for new teachers of the CSWE is provided in Term 1 each year.

ESL Information Networks (ESLINs) are professional development networks, organised by ESL teacher facilitators and regional Multicultural / ESL Consultants. ESLIN meetings are held on a regional or cross-regional basis usually once per term.

Seminars for experienced and qualified ESL teachers are conducted on Saturdays to explore recent research in the area and link findings to classroom practice. Seminars are delivered by academics and other TESOL professionals.