Westralian Association of Teachers of English to speakers of other languages
The Westralian Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (WATESOL) has expressed its overwhelming support for the State's new English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) course.
The comments represent a strong show of support for the outcomes focused course, which is one of around 50 new courses available through the new Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). The Curriculum Council's EAL/D curriculum officer was also singled out for praise by the association.
In a letter to the Curriculum Council, WATESOL president, Belinda Stewart, said the association was relieved the course was being implemented as planned in 2007.
Ms Stewart said that when planning began for the new English course, WATESOL members lobbied strongly for a separate course that would meet the educational needs of those learning English as an additional language.
"This lobbying helped convince the Curriculum Council that a separate course was required," she said.
"We then lobbied for two extra units to ensure the course would give students with limited schooling the opportunity to demonstrate outcomes, which has also occurred. Many other changes have also occurred in response to feedback from action research participants and EAL/D teachers.
"We feel we have been consulted and listened to at all stages of the course development."
Ms Stewart said the EAL/D course outcomes reflect the learning that takes place in the acquisition of an additional language and the course content meets the linguistic, cultural and academic needs of all of our learners, from those with a limited schooling background to those with high academic ambitions.
She said the unit contexts in the new course are both relevant and motivating.
"I am involved in trialling units 1C and 1D this year and am personally overwhelmed by the level of engagement demonstrated by my students," she said.
"The flexibility of the new course has allowed my program to be tailored in response to student interests and current events and issues.
"WATESOL members are looking forward to teaching the course and appreciate the efforts that continue to be put into its refinement."
Ms Stewart said the Curriculum Council's ESL curriculum officer, Aileen Hawkes, had been highly responsive to members' feedback and had provided excellent communication with members during the development of the course.
Curriculum Council course accreditation and review project manager, John Newman, said WATESOL has always been passionate when presenting the arguments of its members about what they feel is best for EALD students.
"It is pleasing that the association acknowledges the council has listened to its point of view. Subject associations have an important role in the consultative processes of the council in preparing the new courses," Mr Newman said.
* The EAL/D course will be implemented in Year 11 in 2007.
