What is TESOL?
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages)
English as Another Language
All societies, social groups and individuals have a range of ways of communicating, which may include different languages, and different varieties of one language. These various forms of communicating give people a wider scope of knowledge, skills, values, perspectives, relationships and ways of doing things that are valuable to individuals and communities. The learning of languages promotes inter-group communication, nationally and internationally. Therefore the learning of any language is to be actively encouraged.
English in a contemporary global context is recognized as a language of power. It has significance as an additional language. English is a source of global information and communication through avenues such as educational institutions, information technologies and the media. English provides access to scope in employment, further education and valuing of communities.
Australia offers a vibrant and dynamic context for learning English. Throughout Australia programs are available that meet the diverse English language learning needs of speakers of other languages. These needs will be influenced by factors such as the age of the learners, whether they are migrants or refugees or fee paying International students.
TESOL programs include (sometimes in combination):
- General English focusing primarily on oral language skills
- English for Specific Purposes (ESP) e.g. the tourism Industry, business or health professionals
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP) e.g. in support of students planning to study, or studying, at TAFE or University
- Survival English for newly arrived adult migrants and refugees
- English literacy courses for adults
- Early childhood, primary and secondary focused courses including intensive programs for newly arrived school aged students
- Voluntary community based e.g. Home tutoring schemes for adults or homework programs for secondary aged refugees with a background of disrupted schooling
TESOL in Victoria
A range of professional associations, independent and state government educational bodies provide services and support in the field of TESOL. These various organizations, through the fostering of cultural and linguistic diversity, promote excellence in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Links to other professional associations and government bodies:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development ESL page
www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/esl/default.htm
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Multicultural Education page
www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/multicultural/default.htm
Adult Community & Further Education (ACFE)
www.acfe.vic.gov.au
TESOL in Australia
At a National level the recognition, study research and development of TESOL is promoted within the context of a multicultural society. VATME is an affiliate of ACTA (Australian Council of TESOL Associations). ACTA aims to establish and maintain links with government bodies and a range of organisations at regional, state, national and international levels.
Australian Council of TESOL Association (ACTA) web-site: www.tesol.org.au
TESOL Internationally
VATME and ACTA maintain and establish links with International TESOL associations.
- Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL), in the USA: www.tesol.org
- National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum (NALDIC), in the United Kingdom: www.naldic.org.uk
- TESL, in Canada: www.tesl.ca
