A number of professional learning opportunities are available for teachers and school personnel supporting students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• Induction programs for schools
• Induction programs for teachers and teacher aides new to ESL
• ESL-specfic professional learning
• Online support materials

Induction Programs for Schools

These sessions are offered to schools either enrolling students for the first time or enrolling students from 'new or emerging' communities.  The Principal Education Officer ESL or Advanced Skills Teacher ESL attends a staff meeting or an organised after school session to deliver this program (approx. 45 - 60 mins).

Participants will develop an understanding of:

• ESL Program support available for new arrival students
• pre and post settlement experiences for new arrival students, including cultural background as appropriate
• ESL Program model of implmentation
• how to access information and further professional learning support regarding effective teaching and learning strategies for culturally and linguistically diverse learners

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Induction Programs for Teachers and Teacher Aides New to ESL

These sessions are facilitated by the Advanced Skills Teacher ESL and target the new ESL Program teacher / teacher aide, other ESL teachers in the school (as appropriate) and a member of the school's senior staff.

Participants in all induction programs will develop an understanding of:

• ESL Program support available for new arrival students including resources, interpreters, professional development and syllabus information
• structures available within the school to support students for whom English is an additional language
• effective learning and teaching strategies for culturally  and linguistically diverse learners
• how to address issues in the ESL context and identify effective responses to the social, cultural, emotional and physical needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners.

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ESL Specific Professional Learning

The ESL Program has allocated a small professional learning budget for ESL Program teachers who are unable to access support from their school.  ESL teachers submit requests for financial support to attend professional learning that will enhance their work in schools directly to their Learning Services ESL Team for approval.

Seminars in the area of diversity, learning blocks and torture/trauma issues, and making classroom content accessible to English language learners are regularly made available to schools / colleges and Learning Services.  Contact the Principal Education Officer ESL for further information.

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Online Support Materials

ESL Program teachers and teacher aides have access to an ESL SharePoint space containing extensive support materials directly related to their role within the ESL Program.  The Principal Education Officer ESL manages the ESL SharePoint site.

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