The Victorian Institute of Teaching is proud to partner with the Department of Education Koorie Outcomes Division and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. to deliver a pedagogically focused seminar designed to equip teachers to better understand the strategies that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners in our classrooms. At the heart of supporting these learners is a recognition of their linguistic backgrounds, this seminar will highlight Koorie English as a language base for learners and its relationship with student achievement.

This two hour webinar* will be presented by Mathew Lillyst, Professional Practice Leader Koorie Literacy and Numeracy, and will provide the necessary background information that all teachers need to be aware of when creating a truly inclusive and safe classroom environment. The presentation will establish the linguistic and cultural elements of Koorie English as a dialect and then provide an interactive forum for teachers to discuss the pedagogical, social and academic benefits that will come from incorporating this knowledge into the learning environment. In recognising language and culture as inextricably linked teachers can provide a pedagogy that will support academic development at the same time as supporting identity and wellbeing for learners.

The pedagogy discussed will be universally applicable and provide benefit to all learners, regardless of their background, teaching strategies that work for Koorie English speakers are strategies that will work for all learners. This seminar will equip teachers with not only some strategies but the understanding as to why the understanding of Koorie English is important to allow all their learners to thrive.

*Attending this webinar and reflecting on how you could apply the content in your teaching context can count as part of your professional learning requirements for renewal of registration.

Details

Webinars will be run via Zoom between 3.00pm and 5.00pm on selected dates during October and November 2020. Registrants will receive a reminder email a few days prior to their chosen webinar.

Registration

Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners -22 October 2020 - Fully booked

Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners - 9 November 2020 - Fully booked