Resources

All ESL students

The following publications are suitable for all ESL students.

English as a Second Language Companion to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards

English as a Second Language Companion to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards provides a framework for assessing student achievement and developing effective learning programs for the many students in Victorian schools who are learning English as a second language.

English as a Second Language Companion to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards provides an overview of:

  • the broad stages of English language development
  • an outline of the major components of ESL curriculum
  • a set of standards describing the expectations for ESL learners.

Teachers should use the ESL standards to assist them when assessing and planning English language learning programs for ESL students.

For more information see: The English as a Second Language Companion to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/support/esl/esl.html)

ESL Companion to the English CSF

The ESL Companion to the English CSF (Curriculum and Standards Framework) assists schools in meeting the English language learning needs of students for whom English is a second language. It assists teachers in developing programs that are appropriate to the various stages of development of ESL students.

The ESL Companion to the English CSF provides:

  • an overview of the broad stages of English language development through which an ESL student passes
  • a set of outcomes describing what might be expected of ESL learners given optimum learning conditions
  • information organised under sub-strands: Communication, Contextual understanding, Linguistic structures and features, Strategies
  • examples to help interpret the outcomes, such as examples of grammar use likely at the different stages
  • a comprehensive curriculum focus.

Information in the ESL Companion to the English CSF will help teachers to interpret the ESL Standards, and will provide additional detail for curriculum planning and assessment.

The ESL Companion to the English CSF is accessible online at Curriculum and Standards Framework II (http://csf.vcaa.vic.edu.au).

Curriculum@work CD-ROM

The Curriculum@work CD-ROM contains comprehensive ESL Teacher Support Material written to the stages of the ESL Companion to the English CSF.

 Curriculum@work contains a wealth of ESL support material for both ESL specialists and for mainstream teachers who have ESL students in their classes.

The format enables teachers to search and find ESL information relevant to their students' stage of English development, their teaching context and their learning area.

The Curriculum@work CD-ROM can be purchased from:

Information Victoria (http://www.information.vic.gov.au)
Tel: 1300 366 356

Talking in Tune – A guide to working with interpreters in schools (2006)

Talking in Tune – A guide to working with interpreters in schools targets teachers and school personnel who communicate with families in their school communities whose first language is not English. It consists of a 30-minute video or DVD, and a guide to working with interpreters in schools.

The resource consists of seven scenarios designed to highlight common pitfalls and effective strategies when working with interpreters. The user guide contains a summary of the key learning points and issues raised in each scenario, together with focus questions to generate group discussion.

Talking in Tune – A guide to working with interpreters in schools was Winner of the AUSIT Excellence Award 2005 for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Translating and Interpreting Industry’. It is also available as a CD for personal use on a computer.

Talking in Tune – A guide to working with interpreters in schools is available from Languages and Multicultural Resources Centre (LMERC). For mail orders see Order form for ESL, Multicultural Education and LOTE materials (Word - 69Kb).