Teaching EAL/D through the Arts

Event by VicTESOL

In this highly interactive and energising afternoon of professional learning, EAL/D teachers will learn how to use a variety of performative (arts- based) techniques to invigorate their language teaching within the inspiring space of the NGV.

Date March 17, 2023 - March 17, 2023
Time 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Ready for some creative activities in the EAL classroom?

Let’s get you and your students out of your seats and up on the floor!

In this highly interactive and energising afternoon of professional learning, EAL/D teachers will learn how to use a variety of performative (arts- based) techniques to invigorate their language teaching within the inspiring space of the NGV.

Performative language teaching enables learners to connect their brains, bodies and voices, leading to greater retention of language structures and more expressive verbal and non-verbal communication. This approach not only provides meaningful contexts for language use, but also enriches learning, engages students and teaches valuable life skills.

Participants will attend three workshops to gain hands-on experience using accessible music, dance and drama strategies, which can be applied to EAL/D classes across a range of ages, curricula and English levels. Carmel, Sharon, Sally and Jodie will also provide resources, including a Sing with me! Book/CD, to support teachers to apply the methods in their classrooms.

Suitable for those with no experience or a wealth of it!

Registration opens at 2:30pm for a 3:00pm start. Please also bring water and snacks, as required!

Presenters

Sally Smith is an experienced ESL and Arts educator. For over twenty years, Sally has been teaching dance in a variety of community, school-based and adult education contexts. She has been a professional dancer and choreographer performing throughout Australia, Europe, Japan and the US with Strange Fruit, Sue Healey, Born in a Taxi and in her own works. For the past 10 years, Sally has been teaching ESL in various Adult Education settings, specializing in Speaking and Pronunciation and bringing her creative movement skills into the EAL classroom to encourage students to explore language learning through kinaesthetic and choreographic processes.

Sharon Duff is an experienced teacher, educational writer and presenter. She has a passion for including the arts in the EAL/D classroom, has co-written Highly Commended resources for Urban Lyrebirds and delivered workshops around Australia and overseas.  

Jodie Whitehurst has taught Drama, English and EAL to students across the  primary, secondary and adult sectors for more than 20 years. As an ISSI Fellowship recipient, Jodie has travelled internationally to research the benefits and best practice of teaching EAL through drama, and through her organisation, The Language Scene, she empowers language educators to invigorate their classes by using a range of performative teaching methods.

Carmel Davies is a passionate arts practioner and teacher with wide experience teaching across the EAL sector, and has co-authored and published Sing With Me! the May Street Stories and Sing With Me readers. Her ground breaking work using performative language techniques in EAL was recognised with the award of a Churchill Fellowship. This enabled her to further research and refine her skills in delivering  professional learning to teachers across Australia and internationally.

A Little Extra…

Interested in staying around a little longer? Start your weekend with a visit to NGV Friday Nights and the groundbreaking exhibition, Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse. NGV’s Great Hall and garden are transformed with live-music and pop-up bars inspired by ‘90s London and the innovation, romance and theatricality of McQueen’s work. See Melbourne’s best DJs take residence in the 2022 Architecture Commission: Temple of Boom as well as a line-up of unmissable bands performing in the Great Hall, alongside rare screenings of some of McQueen’s most iconic runway collections. Music sounds better on a Friday night!

Cost

$30 – VicTESOL members (including members of other state TESOL associations affiliated with ACTA)
$60 – Non-members
Become a member today, for member prices!
$35 – Ticket to NGV Friday Nights and the exhibition Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse

$30 – VicTESOL members (including members of other state TESOL associations affiliated with ACTA)
$60 – Non-members
Become a member today, for member prices!
$35 – Ticket to NGV Friday Nights and the exhibition Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse