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Recent VATME News
Last updated 26 August 2008 (4 new items)
VCE Language Analysis Workshop follow up
At a recent VATME ESL VCE Workshop at Ross House, concerns were raised about the language analysis in the VCE ESL/English examinations.
Information now on the VCAA website here at the VCAA website together with the following comments by Glynis Rose the ESL chief examiner should help clarify these concerns.
"If the chicken material is now on the VCAA website it should answer teachers’ questions. Also a careful reading of the tasks as set out in the sample exam paper (which uses the chicken material for the task) will help. After reading the material students are expected to do two tasks:1. Make a note form summary of the material. This task and the assessment method is the same as in previous years – including 5 marks for extracting the main points from the passage. Students should look for the overriding argument/message of the passage and can expect that the content will provide four supporting points.
2. Analysis of the language and visual features used to persuade the reader about three of the main points in the material (i.e. 3 of the 5 things identified for the summary). The analysis would consist of three paragraphs – one on each point. A suggested approach is to use the first sentence to indicate the point of argument the writer is making and then look at how language and/or visual material are used to make this point. It will be possible to find at least 2 or 3 ways in which the writer doing this for each point. It depends on how deeply the student probes the persuasive strategies of the writer – but they should expect there’ll be more than one strategy used by the writer in relation to each point. Reading the chicken responses with this back ground in mind will probably clarify the task for you.”
Glynis Rose
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This will give VATME members a space to discuss issues of importance to them with their TESOL and Multicultural Education peers.
Our VATME President, Michele de Courcy, recently attended the Australian Council of TESOL Association's Council meeting as the council member from Victoria.
The topics discussed at the meeting were The topics of discussion at the council meeting were:
- The Federal Government's proposed change to the special payment schemes.
- Issues concerning children of visa 457 holders.
- ACTA's response to the National Professional Standards for advanced teaching and for principals, Second Consultation Paper, May 2008.
- The National Curriculum.Please click here for Michele's report on the council meeting.
ACTA National Curriculum Position Statement is now available here.
2008 VCE ESL Units 3 & 4 - Language Analysis Workshop
For more information, please see this page.
Please register by Friday, 1 August as numbers are strictly limited.
2008 Annual General Meeting
The VATME AGM was held on 18 March.
For more information see this page
Website Updated
The website has under gone some significant recoding over the last couple of months. Although most of the pages should look similiar and more of the information is in the same place on the website, most of the links have changed.
If you find any broken links or would like to comment on the changes, please email vatme@vatme.vic.edu.au.
VATME Forum No. 1: The 2006 ESL Exam (not restricted)
Tuesday 20 March, 2007 @ Hayden Raysmith Room, Ross House, Fourth floor, 247 Flinders Lane, MELBOURNE 3000
This session has been designed to provide feedback from the 2006 assessors on the VCE ESL exam. Practical examples on how to better prepare your students for the 2007 exam will be discussed. Refreshments will be provided after the session.
VATME Forum No. 1 Registration Form
VATME AGM
VATME invites all members and those interested in the association to attend the AGM.
Wednesday 14th March
6-7pm
At our new premises:
29 Sydney Rd Coburg - just north of Moreland Rd.
P-10 Circle of Practice
This State-wide P-10 Circle of Practice will assist ESL teachers in bridging the gap between the recognition of student diversity and its implementation and promotion through practice in the classroom.
Expressions of interest are still sought from mainstream English Language Schools and Centres
See the State-wide P-10 Circle of Practice flyer for more information and email VATME to register your interest.
VATME News
September/October VATME eNews available online now!
The final print version of the VATME News for the year will be out at the end of November.
VATME VCE ESL Student Day
VATME held a successful Student Day with over 100 students and their teachers attending.
Thanks to all who contributed to the day. Special thanks to the presenters and Brunswick Secondary College for hosting the event.
