Lisa Webster is currently the Reading Co-ordinator at Kilcoy State School. She did the TESMC teacher course in 2012 when Kilcoy SS began enrolling a high number of NESB students and she was the EAL/D visiting teacher there.
Did you find the TESMC course to be valuable?
I loved the TESMC course. I love English and language and the way the course shows ways to teach it. The course links to the Australian Curriculum, so it is relevant to teachers (current). Despite having experiences with EAL/D students and my own experiences, the course showed how Literacy is used to make meaning and talks about Literacy in the Curriculum which is vital for all our students – not just teaching English, but how do we teach English in Science and how do we teach English in History and what are the demands in these subjects.
In what ways did it impact your own teaching?
The noun group and nominalisation activities were really useful. I teach across Primary and Secondary sectors and this was useful for all students. Obviously, I adjusted for the student. I even used this for my own daughter in year 6 because no one had taught her how to write!
Do you still use your understandings from the course in your teaching?
I felt the course took my knowledge of English to another level which made me a better teacher. The hands on, practical activities were useful and I rewrote some of these activities for my students. I (now) choose more suitable texts for my students to work with. I am also better able to support mainstream teachers by pin pointing where students need support.
Would you recommend the course to other teachers? Why, why not?
I would highly recommend this course to others. Lynette Lingard is an excellent presenter. She is relaxed and has a wealth of knowledge which she is always willing to share with others. It doesn’t just stop at the course. I wish Principals went to this course – they would book their whole school in!
Lisa Webster
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