Supporting Staff, supporting ESL students in the Mainstream

Overview of CRC Predominately have refugee families from Sudan Students are not eligible for VCE ESL English due to them having been here since early Primary School Academic language acquisition has been slow Students require support, yet do not like to be seen to be different – some ask for help, others do not Multicultural Education Aide employed – from Sudan and is a respected member of the Sudanese community ESL Teacher Aide – supports students in classes also See the need for all staff to be able to use ESL teaching strategies in the mainstream classes as this will also benefit the other students

Progression of Professional Development for staff Previously done with staff: Introductory summary of refugee families in our school – Foundation House presentation Scaffolding Picture dictionaries Personal journey – Sudan, journey to Australia Experience being taught in another language

Progression of Professional Development for staff Currently doing with staff: Reading/ Writing/ Speaking / Listening strategies English teachers – use of ESL Reporting and Assessment (being used at yr9 in Humanities)

Progression of Professional Development for staff Planning on doing later this year: Decoding of language Scaffolding for differentiation Assessing the effectiveness of assessment tasks/ text books etc How to use an interpreter – “Talking in Tune” DVD