Preparing For Term Two

This week we caught up with Zoe and Assunta to find out how the teaching team are preparing for term two English (EAL) classes. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes so let’s find out what they’ve been up too.

“We began with all the teachers meeting together to research and test run online platforms such as Zoom, Facetime, Whatsapp and Google Hangouts” Zoe, a Level III teacher, tells us.

Each class has its own requirements and teachers are adopting a mix of delivery modes to engage with their students. This mix will differ for each class level.

“For Level III students, class will begin with a zoom session followed by set work from the course booklet. I will be available for one-to-one conversations and assistance ” says Zoe.

Initial Level classes will look quite different, says Assunta.

“The students will receive a series of workbooks and I will be available for one-to-one phone or video calls. The biggest challenge is access to technology and communicating by phone. My students really need to be able to see my facial expressions and body language” she explains.

During the transition period, keeping students engaged and maintaining their existing social supports has been a priority. 

“We have online games and a ‘book club’ planned to help keep our students engaged” says 

Zoe.

So far, feedback from current students has been positive and the team are heartened by the enthusiasm and appreciation students have shown during this time.

If you have a spare smartphone at home, why not consider donating it? We are collecting smartphones to students without access to video calls. You can read about it here.

To keep our students, volunteers, staff and broader community connected during this time, we have created a new Facebook group. Request to join ‘Staying Connected With Your PRACE community’ here.