eVALBEC September 2012eVALBEC September 20121. Update
2. 2012 is the National Year of Reading
3. VALBEC Forums • 'Understanding and Applying the Foundation Skills Training Package (FSTP)'
4. 'Joining the pieces: Literacy and numeracy one part of the picture'
5. Use Singing To Energise Your Classroom
6. Member resources
7. Adult Learners Week • Sep 1-8
8. Learn Local Metro Expo: 18 &19 October
9. VALBEC's response to The Sunday Age item
10. Regional News
11. Employment opportunities
12. On and off
On 23 August, Lynne Matheson joined many people from ACE and ACFE at an afternoon tea to farewell Sian Lewis, ACFE Executive Director for the past two and a half years. ACFE Chairperson, Rowena Allen spoke of the achievements and impact of Sian, in particular the launch of the Learn Local branding. Sian spoke warmly of her time with ACFE and her passion for education and her commitment to always have the learner as the focus. VALBEC would like to thank Sian for her support and wish her well for the future.
The cuts to ACFE staffing and shift to the Pathways and Participation Division of DEECD will be monitored with interest.
Paul Rawlinson reported to the committee about a Diabetes Australia pilot program for at risk CALD learners, that has begun at Glenroy NLC using ESL frameworks units and team teaching with a Diabetes educator. This is an important health literacy program and we look forward to hearing about its progress.
VALBEC committee members Sandra Wolfe and Sandie Forbes will attend the 2012 Victorian Learn Local Awards on 7 Sept. This event provides a great opportunity to celebrate excellence and the achievements of the Learn Local community.
The next committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 September. We welcome feedback and ideas so please send to info@valbec.org.au
"Books are the compasses and telescopes and sextants and charts which other men have prepared to help us navigate the dangerous seas of human life." - Jesse Lee Bennett
Pauline O'Maley, VALBEC committee member, continues her series with a fascinating conversation with ACAL president, Geri Pancini.
This month - the dangers of reading for women and slaves and more.
The Foundation Skills Training Package (FSTP) is developed by IBSA and is intended to provide pathways into Vocational Qualifications. It can be used across all Training Packages.
Two similar events are being offered with Anita Roberts, Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA)
ACAL 2012, Hobart Tasmania
Registration still available
Hear
Susan Devereux, Branch Manager, Foundation Skills, The Foundation Skills jigsaw – how the pieces fit together More
Pat Strauss, Associate Professor, Auckland University of Technology, Adult Literacy Practitioners – making our voices heard More
Anita Roberts, Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA), VET + LLN = Together Forever More
and lots more
Wednesday 12 September, 9:30am – 3:30pm, Sassella Park Hall, Station Rd, Deer Park
All are welcome. No Charge BYO lunch and contribution for morning tea
Contact Cairnlea Community Hub, Carmody Dr, Cairnlea 3023 Phone: 9363 4800
Email: cairnleacommunityhub@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Presented by Community Music Victoria and Brimbank Neighbourhood House Partnership
As we approach the end of the year it seemed like a fine time to ask our notable practitioners and academics to reflect and comment on adult learning and literacy, teaching and curriculum frameworks, and diversity. The result is an exciting line-up of writers busy creating some great reading that will hold you enthralled over the summer. Become a member to receive your copy of Fine Print.
Many of our members produce useful resources which are often previewed at conferences or reviewed in Fine Print. See the first of these on our new Resources page.
If you're a member of VALBEC (the first requirement) and you would like to have your product listed, contact VALBEC.
Celebrate the many achievements of adult learners, teachers and providers.
Jasper Hotel, Elizabeth St. Melbourne
This is a conference not to be missed. Suitable for managers, practitioners and Board members of Adult Education organisations, this conference will focus on the emerging opportunities in the sector. Workshop topics include; marketing, e learning, partnerships, economic development, human resource management, career development, grant writing and more.
For more information contact the Conference Planner, Leanne FitzGerald (97587081 or leanne@coonarahouse.org.au )
Letter published in The Sunday Age, 26 August, in response to http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/you-cant-change-your-life-if-you-cant-read-20120816-24a6e.html
The right to read ( The Age edited version from our original letter)
WE ARE very sorry to hear that Sam De Brito had such a frustrating experience seeking assistance for his friend with reading and writing difficulties (All Men Are Liars, M, 19/8). We understand the sensitive situation many prospective adult literacy students experience when seeking assistance. Often it is a relative or close friend who takes the initiative, as De Brito did, to seek out an adult literacy course or tutoring program. Fortunately most do not have the negative experience he did when trying to access a class. Some of the success stories have been published by the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council (VALBEC) in A Fuller Sense of Self, available on our website, valbec.org.au.
Our general advice is to use Google to search for local classes. However, as De Brito pointed out, while he could do a Google search, his friend could not. This goes to the heart of the question of what services the government is offering people like his friend. Federal government funding for the Reading and Writing Hotline referral service has decreased in recent years. The Australian Council for Adult Literacy and other volunteer-based state organisations - that receive no funding and do not have the capacity to work as referral agencies - have campaigned hard for the hotline to be better funded and promoted.
The hotline has been successful in connecting many learners to providers in their local areas, where they have numerous [sic:Age wording, we wrote ‘suitable’] adult education options, such as one-to-one tuition and classes in community or TAFE settings.
The issue of adult literacy is an important one. We are pleased that De Brito found a program in the end. But he makes it clear we have more work to do.
John Radalj, co-president, VALBEC
On July 26 and 27 the Loddon Mallee Region organised a Regional and Rural conference “Thinking differently, connecting differently” aimed at equipping regional and rural providers with ideas on how to conduct their business differently. The conference focused on providing practical opportunities to explore emerging regional issues, the use of e-technology and models of innovative partnerships.
Further information (photos, feedback, keynote addresses, audio download, etc) will be available from 31st August at http://learnlocal.cebendigo.com.au
ACFE, ACE, RTO and TAFE managers can post adult literacy, language and numeracy practitioner job ads in eVALBEC. Send your request (50 words limit) to info@valbec.org.au by the 26th of the month.
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Contact VALBEC
eVALBEC is the monthly electronic newsletter of (VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council.
E-mail: info@valbec.org.au
Postal: Box 861 Springvale South VIC 3172
This is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council, and is sent to about 1000 practitioners on the first of each month (other than January). It is also available in the 'News' section of our web site http://www.valbec.org.au
Disclaimer: The activities, goods and services mentioned in eVALBEC are not endorsed by VALBEC in any way. People should make their own judgment about the suitability of each item.
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