Happy new year to all of those involved in VALBEC! How amazing to think we are already in February of 2024? I guess time does fly when you’re planning (I’m pretty sure that is how that saying goes), and VALBEC has been very busy planning away. I will be running a Professional Learning session booked for a few weeks time, responding to the outcry of our community wanting to learn more about GRIT in education which I am very much looking forward to. You’ll find links to register for that one below. We announced a week or so ago that Professor Vicky Duckworth will be delivering the keynote at our conference in May, which is fantastic news and we are all very excited to host her. Her most recent book, Transformative Teaching and Learning in Further Education: Pedagogies of hope and social justice, is such a welcome focus after what has been neo-liberalistic focus for education in all sectors of Australia. Perhaps this is the beginning of a wider movement that many of our members have been drumming on about for several years? Time will tell, but in the meantime, let’s continue to discuss these ideas.
And lastly, I need to mention the conference. We are getting into late stage planning now and I can say that this is going to be a fantastic day of learning and sharing that we are very much looking forward to. Can I please encourage you to apply to speak if you believe you have something to say? We would love to hear from you. You can submit a proposal here: https://valbec.org.au/SubmitProposalPresent. Enjoy your 2024, relish the challenges that the new year brings and the chances for growth and change.
VALBEC President
VALBEC Membership
You can join or renew online.
https://valbec.org.au/membership/
If you join in August, September or October, deduct 50%. Renewal falls due the following February.
Members receive:
- Fine Print three times a year – a high quality journal for discussion and debate about good practice, theory and policy issues. Feedback and contributions are actively sought from members about content and issues.
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eVALBEC – our e-mail communication keeping members informed of professional development activities, general committee activities and more up to date policy changes.
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Discounts for the Annual Conference and other VALBEC statewide professional development.
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Issues-based forums.
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Focus on significant policy issues impacting on the field.
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Free numeracy resources.
The role of GRIT in the vocational classroom
A VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Educational Council) Professional Learning session presented by Liam Frost-Camilleri.
Motivating and engaging students in a vocational setting is a complex task and in this professional learning session, Liam Frost-Camilleri will examine the role of GRIT in the vocational classroom.
The focus of this presentation will be on the pivotal role this psychological theory plays in cultivating passion, determination, engagement and motivation within the classroom. By fostering a resilient mindset and encouraging students to persevere through challenges, GRIT becomes a powerful tool in shaping student success and personal growth.
Liam will discuss how GRIT serves as a catalyst for career adaptability, equipping students with the resilience needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of employment. This presentation will explore how the cultivation of GRIT nurtures autonomy, empowering students to take ownership of their learning experiences.
Liam is an early career researcher in the education space. He is an academic at Federation University Australia, lecturing in the Master of Teaching and enabling programs and is the current President at VALBEC.
Liam completed his Masters in 2018 on VCAL teachers and how they navigate the core skills and compliance space, which led him to his current doctoral study topic; reengagement of early school leavers in second chance education institutions.
A passionate educator, Liam has spent his career working in secondary schools (public and private) teaching at Primary level as well as alternative education settings, in Vocational Education and more recently in Higher Education.
We look forward to seeing you there.
VALBEC PL Forums Team
Who: Liam Frost-Camilleri
When: Wednesday, 21th February 2024, 5.30-6.30 pm AEST
Where: Zoom
Cost: VALBEC Members Free; non-Members $25
ESL Lounge
This website helps to improve students' grammar, reading and listening skills.
https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/
ESL Kids World
ESL Kids World offers free pdf worksheets, lesson plans, activities, flashcards and updates are made every week.
https://eslkidsworld.com/index.html
VicTESOL are a professional association committed to promoting excellence in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and fostering and supporting cultural and linguistic diversity through high quality multicultural education. We provide support and services to generalist, content, trade and EAL (ESL) specialist teachers across all sectors, including all areas of adult education.
For more information, and to view previous and upcoming events, please see the VicTESOL website at: https://victesol.vic.edu.au/
2024 Membership Now Available - Purchase or Renew Your VicTESOL Membership for the year!
Thank you to all current VicTESOL members for supporting VicTESOL. Your support enables the association to provide professional learning, networking opportunities and access to information and resources relating to the TESOL sector. If you, your colleagues or your institution are interested in VicTESOL membership, we would like to inform you that membership for 2024 is now available!
Being a member of VicTESOL is full of advantages. Not only are you supporting English language teaching, learning and multicultural education but you have access to a wide array and network of professional development sessions and industry contacts.
For more information, and to view membership options, please see the VicTESOL website at: https://victesol.vic.edu.au/become-a-victesol-member/
1st February – Read Aloud Day
5th February– Healthy Lunch Box Week
11th February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science Day
14th February – International Book Giving Day
14th February – Library Lovers' Day
17th February – Random Acts of Kindness Day
20th February – National Love Your Pet Day
20th February – World Day of Social Justice
21st February – World Harmony Day
22nd February – World Thinking Day
22nd February – Walk your Dog Day
26th February – Tell a Fairy Tale Day
29th February – Last Day of Summer
eVALBEC
eVALBEC is the monthly 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
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.
How to submit items: https://www.valbec.org.au/evalbec