eVALBEC 
September 2016 | VALBEC | Web version
In this Issue
1. Adult Learners' Week Forum
Tuesday 6 Sept, 2016 • 6.00 – 8.00 pm •
2. Adult Learners Week 2016 #ALW2016
3. 'A Fuller Sense of Self' Five Years On
4. Reading Between the Lines - SBS program
5. Fine Print
Current edition
From the Vault: PIAAC - a quick look at the data and age
6. Skills First – A vision for TAFE
7. Would you like to teach overseas?
8. Vacancy for English Language Teacher
9. International Literacy Day
1. Adult Learners' Week Forum
Tuesday 6 Sept, 2016 • 6.00 – 8.00 pm •
Royal Hotel, 41 Spensley Street Clifton Hill Map
This interactive forum will bring together three experienced LLN practitioners to talk about innovative and effective approaches to assessment. Both for the initial interview and LLN assessment, they will discuss some strategies that better serve the needs of learners, while also being authentic and accountable.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.
2. Adult Learners Week 2016 #ALW2016
VALBEC supports Adult Learners Week 2016 - Learn Outside The Square from September 1-8.
Encourage your learners to participate in activities during adult learners week. Adult learners also have the chance to enter a competition to win an iPad Air 2 (64KB). All they need to do is show how they are learning outside the square. Make sure they read the terms and conditions.
3. 'A Fuller Sense of Self' Five Years On
'A Fuller Sense of Self - a collection of stories told by adult literacy students' was published by VALBEC in 2011. These students shared their thoughts about returning to study to develop their literacy skills. They described why they made that move and how that decision shaped and changed their lives for the better.
Five years on we decided to revisit these students and their stories, to find out where they are now and to discover if and how learning continues to influence their life journey. We tracked down three of our original storytellers. Linda, a student from the Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre, and David and Sue, both students from Southern Grampians Adult Education based in Hamilton in Western Victoria.
This time our storytellers kindly and courageously shared their thoughts on camera.
VALBEC will launch the video stories on 6 September for Adult learners' Week.
In the meantime, you can watch the trailer here
Download the original Fuller Sense of Self book
4. Reading Between the Lines - SBS program
A recent SBS Insight program with Jenny Brockie spoke to a number of Australians from all ages and backgrounds that have lived a life with low literacy. Amazing stories of coping without being able to read and write.
If you missed it you can catch up SBS here.
5. Fine Print
Current edition
We trust you are enjoying reading Edition #2 2016. As the end of term approaches, perhaps you will have more time to reflect on good teaching practice and gain insights into the LLN sector. Feature article writers, Vicky Duckworth, Melinda Eason and Karen Manwaring all provide inspiration for working more closely with learners' needs, while demonstrating awareness of the social dimensions of adult language and literacy. You might like to consider adding to your professional library with one of the books reviewed in What's Out There.
Have you ever considered writing for Fine Print? You might want to write about a project you have been working on or some teaching tips that are tried and true, or reflections on the policy climate changes, or maybe just a good news story about the work being done at your learning centre.
Send your contributions to info@valbec.org.au
From the Vault: PIAAC - a quick look at the data and age
Each month a VALBEC committee member selects a specific article from the Fine Print archive that illustrates good teaching practice, describes theories related to a ranges of literacies, explores a particular topic of interest or has some synergy with the present environment.
I have been scanning the Fine Print archive and thought to myself what might be of interest to the more numerically minded LLN practitioners.
I found Jan Hagston's PIAAC - a quick look at the data and age. The article looks at the Australian Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) survey results,
the skill levels across time and in comparison to other countries, and focuses on the difference in skill levels across age and some of the implications.
The article outlines the survey results in a way that is easily understood.
Fine Print Vol 31 No.1 PIAAC - a quick look at the data and age Pages 9-11
I also enjoyed, immensely the SBS Insight programme on Tuesday 23rd August 2016 on 'Reading between the Lines: Why so many Australian's have poor Literacy' and Dave Tout's similar down to earth explanation of the often difficult to interpret PIAAC results.
See the Insight program.
John Radalj
6. Skills First – A vision for TAFE
On Friday 26th Augus, committee member Digna Libra, attended the stakeholder briefing and launch of the Andrew's Labor Government's reforms to Victoria's training and TAFE system. TheH on Steve Herbert, Minister for Training and Skills, outlined the promised changes with guaranteed funding to secure the future of TAFE and make sure Victorians have the right skills for the future jobs. It is hoped that 'Skills First' reforms will result in a high quality, stable system that restores the confidence of students, employers and industry.
More
7. Would you like to teach overseas?
Do the Cambridge CELTA course at Holmesglen and you could be on your way!
The CELTA is internationally recognised. During the course you will gain the practical teaching skills and the language awareness you need to prepare and deliver lessons to learners of English. In addition, there is a large component of practice teaching linked to immediate constructive feedback.
Next courses:
Online
This is an 11 week course with 2 weeks teaching practice, starting August 29th
Full time
- 5 week course running 4 days a week, starting 2nd Nov
- 4 week course running 5 days a week, starting 12 Dec
More info or phone 03 9564 1820
8. Vacancy for English Language Teacher
Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre requires an English Language Teacher/s to teach EAL Frameworks for 6 hours on Tuesdays and a pre-accredited Speaking class for 2.5 hours on Wednesdays. The position/s will start as casual and is paid according to the Neighbourhood Houses and Adult Community Education Centres Collective Agreement. The EAL Frameworks class requires a fully qualified ESL teacher with Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training.
Email applications and resumé to admin@glenlink.vic.edu.au.
9. International Literacy Day
Thursday, 8 September 2016
This year marks the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day and UNESCO is celebrating it under the banner 'Reading the Past, Writing the Future'. International Literacy Day 2016 celebrates and honours the past five decades of national and international engagement, efforts and progress made to increase literacy rates around the world.