The latest Professional Development events and news from English Australia Upcoming PD Events
Enhancing ethical AI engagement: Detection tools and policies for English Language Colleges
Online: 24 Oct at 4.00pm-5.00pm (AEDT)
This interactive webinar, hosted by the English Australia Ed-Tech SIG, will explore how ELICOS colleges are addressing the use of generative AI tools by their students. Member case studies will be presented covering areas such as Chat GPT detection tools, AI literacy and acknowledgement, and college policies to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI.
ELT Hackathon - Maximising speaking tasks
Online: 30 Oct at 6.30pm (AEDT)
Circular Learning's ELT Hackathons are interactive and collaborative lesson planning events for all teachers to network and share ideas. This month's topic is Maximising Speaking Tasks: taking a functional approach to incorporating sub-skills like turn-taking, repair and repetition, responding, signposting and circumlocution. Registration numbers limited.
Knowledge and skills development for PEAL practitioners
Online: 9 Nov at 4.00pm-5.00pm (AEDT)
Hosted by the Post-entry English and Academic Language SIG, this online workshop will focus on the professional development of post-entry English and academic language (PEAL) practitioners. It will cover existing PD Frameworks in this area and begin the task of identifying core knowledge and skills required by PEAL practitioners.
English Australia was delighted to host Mina Patel, Researcher at the British Council, as one of our plenary speakers at the recent English Australia Conference. Mina presented on the British Council's report that was published this year entitled 'Future of English: Global Perspectives,' which explores how English is used and studied today and what the role of English as a lingua franca will be in the future.
We would like to share the recording of Mina's plenary session with our members. You can watch the full plenary at the link below.
If you would like to see the slides from other English Australia Conference sessions, you can find them here.
English Australia member John Paul International College (JPIC) hosted an exciting HS PD Fest for teachers in the High School ELT sector on Saturday 7 October 2023. 50 enthusiastic attendees from 18 institutions enjoyed a successful day of professional development. Best practice was shared across a broad range of topic areas spanning teaching and learning, pastoral care and student welfare with an opening plenary about ‘Cultivating inclusive classrooms for international students’ presented by The Queensland Institute. The closing panel about ‘Student Support and Welfare’ was facilitated by JPIC Director David Ferguson and included discussion with Leisl Bruhn (Ivanhoe Grammar, Melbourne, Michael Bos (MBC/MBBC), Zack Milverton (JPC) and Rima Ibrahim (NEAS, Sydney). Congratulations to JPIC and the event organisers Jo Kwai and David Ferguson on their inaugural HS PD Fest.
Want to feature your centre's PD story in PD Updates?
We'd like to include English Australia members' stories about PD initiatives and PD champions in our PD Update newsletters so others can gain inspiration from the fantastic work our member colleges are undertaking. If you have an initiative you'd like to share, please email Sophie, Head of Professional Development at English Australia at sophieokeefe@englishaustralia.com.au. Examples of stories could include PD Days, guest speakers, mentoring initiatives, or stories of individuals within your centre championing the professional development space.
We're recruiting an interim Deputy Convenor to join our Ed-Tech Special Interest Group (SIG) convening team due to the resignation of one of the SIG Convenors. The Deputy Convenor must work for an English Australia member college.
You can read more about the Ed-Tech SIG at its webpage.
Being a SIG Convenor of an industry peak body is a professional development opportunity, as well as an opportunity to expand your professional networks and reach.
If you are interested in this role, please reach out to Sophie O'Keefe, Head of Professional Development at English Australia at sophieokeefe@englishaustralia.com.au. Sophie can provide interested nominees with more information about the role and selection process.
You can read more about the duties of SIG Convenors and Deputy Convenors below.
