Virtual Learning Network

Hi everyone,

     I hope you have all had a good week. Last we we continued our discussion of planning courses for ELLs with a post from Carmel Lauago.

We also shared

• suggestions for Nepali language resources

• Athlyn’s plan for a Best Practice Workshop in South Auckland in November

• The latest content from Many Answers - there are some great topics!

A few people have contacted me trying to get Version 2 copies of standards for this years records. Version 2 are no longer available on the NZQA website. If you are missing copies of a standard I suggest asking in the forum, I’m sure someone will oblige. However if all else fails email Annie Chan at Annie.Chan@nzqa.govt.nz.

Events for teachers

• AKTESOL event - 23rd August at Unitec Guest speaker: Associate Professor Roger Barnard Title: From Reflective Practice to Action Research.

• NZATE PD opportunity - focus on improving student performance in NCEA external exams  St. John's College in Hamilton on Friday 24 August. Click here for more details.

• ALANZ 2018 national gathering will be held at Wintec, in Hamilton, on Saturday, December 1. The theme: English language teaching: Is business as usual enough?

Events for students

• Money Week is 3rd - 9th August.

• Tongan Language Week is 2nd - 8th September

• Te Wiki o te Reo Māori /Māori Language Week  is 10th–16th September 2018

• Conservation Week 15th–23rd September 2018

• Chinese Language Week 23rd–29th September 2018

On other communities

Secondary Literacy Online discussed What Powers Do Your Students Develop?

This heading prompted me to reflect on one of the articles in the latest TESOLANZ Newsletter which asked how well our international students are prepared for tertiary study? I’d like to ask what you think the key skills for all of our ELLs to succeed at tertiary study and how can we build these into our courses?

Have a great week.

Breda