Archives: Courses

Transformational Technology in Thai Education

Conference 21.18

Presented by

Dr Alexander Nanni

Associate Dean for International Affairs, Mahidol University

Transformation is difficult. The education system of Thailand is in transition, and individual universities are undergoing their own organizational changes in response to an evolving economic and demographic landscape. Students embarking on their educational journeys face daunting uncertainty, particularly regarding the acquisition of marketable skills and eventual employment; however, these same students also have access to unprecedented opportunities. In this highly unsettled context, Mezirow’s (1991) framework of transformative learning is a valuable lens through which to understand the role of disorientation, dissatisfaction, and experimentation in effecting meaningful change. This presentation explores the interplay between the reform of higher education in Thailand, the internationalization of a specific government university, and the transformative journeys of students enrolled in an English-medium liberal arts program within the university, emphasizing the ways in which managing crises can enhance sustainability. The students’ experiences are discussed in relation to transformative learning theory. For teachers aiming to equip students for their journeys, understanding the transformative potential of adversity is a key to fostering student success.

Presenter Bio

Alexander Nanni is the Associate Dean for International Affairs at Mahidol University International College (MUIC), which is located in Salaya, Thailand. He began teaching English in Thailand in 2005. From 2012 to 2018, he was the director of the Preparation Center for Languages and Mathematics at MUIC. During this time, he and his team applied for quality assurance through NEAS, becoming the first program in Thailand to do so. Alexander holds an M.Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language from Rhode Island College and an Ed.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston.

CPD points: 1

From Teaching to Leading the Learning: A Transformational Perspective

Conference 21.17

Presented by

Steven Happel

Vietnam USA Society English Centres

In this presentation, Steven weaves a personal and professional story that relates a shifting understanding of education and learning both for himself and the institution he works for – VUS. The story starts with a humble K-12 experience, moving on to university and then the ELT industry in Vietnam. Along the way, Steven touches on models of learning and an institution wrestling with traditional conceptions of education common to Vietnam. Steven ties this into a discussion of leadership, arguing for a more distributed, bottom-up model that sees teachers not just as leaders, but learners.

Presenter Bio

Steven Happel has been teaching English professionally for more than 17 years. His experience varies from tutoring foreign exchange students in the United States to the ESL classrooms of Vietnam. He has worked at VUS for the last fifteen years, first as a teacher and later becoming a senior teacher and then academic advisor. He specializes in both curriculum design and teacher training, running in-house workshops for professional development. He also works as a freelance teacher trainer for the British Council, specializing in IELTS and language assessment.

Steven received his B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Latin from the University of Minnesota where he graduated with honors. He later obtained teaching certificates in TEFL and TESOL and is currently obtaining a Masters in Applied Educational Leadership and Management through the University of London.

CPD points: 1

Teachers of Speakers of Languages other than English – a Journey to Trust and Professionalism

Conference 21.16

Presented by

A/Prof Klaus Veil

Australian Council of Professions

Ruth Ferraro

Australian Council of Professions

Trust in and regard for teachers as professionals is high but differs across countries and cultures. As teachers of non-English speaking background students, we are privileged to join doctors and scientists as the third-most-trusted profession. Ruth Ferraro and Klaus Veil from Australian Council of Professions will reflect on how as leaders, teachers, practitioners, professionals and students our unique professional journeys nurture, maintain and merit this privileged position.

Presenter Bios

With 30 years professional experience and significant contributions, Klaus is internationally recognised as an expert educator in Health Informatics, Health Information Technology, Healthcare Systems Interoperability and eHealth Standards Development. A Adj. Associate Professor at the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics at Western Sydney University, Klaus has also taught at Sydney and LaTrobe universities as well as to industry and governments in the USA, the UK, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Germany and Bulgaria. Klaus currently serves as president of the Australian Council of Professions and led his professional association, the Australasian College of Health Informatics from 2009 to 2017.

With her early educator career in second language and ESL teaching and program management with TAFE and the NSW AMEP, Ruth’s interest in professions commenced in her two-year role as Executive Officer for the Australian Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ATE-SOL). She furthered her enquiry into the phenomenon of professions and professionalism between 2000 – 2015 alongside her 25 years in executive roles in education in membership bodies across multiple professional environments (education, medical specialisations, accounting, law and financial planning). Ruth brings a deep insight into the transformational nature of professional life.

CPD points: 1

Welfare and Guidance for Under 18’s in the Current Landscape

Conference 21.15

Presented by

Michael Bos

The Morton Bay Colleges

Bear a thought for our international students under 18 years old. Not only are they navigating study and life in another country, they are also working through their teenage years as they mature to adulthood. And they are currently experiencing all of this during a global pandemic in another culture, far from home. For those students living in Australia, many have not been home for over a year now. As you can imagine, this is having not only an impact on the students and their families, but also on the institutions supporting them. This session explores the challenges and corresponding responses in the care and support of international students under the age of 18 years old. We examine the regulations, concessions and ways to ensure the welfare of these students.

Presenter Bio

Michael is an experienced International Director with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Michael is a strong business development professional skilled in Educational Technology, Instructional Design, Teaching English as a Second Language, Adult Education, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

CPD points: 1

The Role of the Education Agent as a Bridge Between Institution and Student

Conference 21.14

Presented by

Melanie Macfarlane

VETA

In this presentation, Melanie will provide an insight into the world of education agents and their impact on the ELT sector. Agents don’t simply place students and process paperwork – there’s a lot more to the job! Melanie will discuss agents as the conduit between education providers and students, highlighting their value and necessity. She will dispel several myths, discuss dispute resolution strategies and discuss the future path for agents, as international students prepare to travel post-COVID.

Presenter Bio

Melanie Macfarlane is a registered and practising Migration Agent with over 17 years’ experience securing visas for migrants to live, work and study in Australia. She has worked with individuals, families and employers from small to large-scale businesses, all with the same common goal – to explore new opportunities and create a happy world, one migrant at a time.

Melanie founded MMMigration & Recruitment and VETA Education & Migration in 2007 and has since grown the company to offices across 3 states in Australia as well as Colombia, Chile and Mexico. She’s built a passionate, like-minded team who embody her positive values, setting them apart as leaders in the migration industry. From MMMigration’s and VETA’s vibrant offices to their professional service, the team reduces the stress and confusion from the migration process, ensuring peace of mind and positive outcomes. To date, MMMigration and VETA have helped over 10,000 people with a 99% success rate in helping migrants gain visas and permanent residence in Australia.

A migrant herself, Melanie was born in Freetown, West Africa and grew up in Vanuatu and Indonesia where her diverse circle of friends gave her a good understanding around equality and opportunities to succeed. Her experience as an English language teacher in Indonesia, an education consultant and a recruiter in bringing chefs over from Peru, has created for her a solid network, particularly in her focus areas of childcare, hospitality, aged care, IT, engineering and agriculture.

CPD points: 1

The Quality ELT Professional Initiative

Conference 21.13

Presented by

David Ferguson

Deputy Head of International Operations, John Paul College, Queensland, Australia

NEAS collaborates with community stakeholders to enhance further the interests of the ELT practitioner. David Ferguson, Deputy Head of International Operations at John Paul International College, draws on over a decade of experience in international education. Sharing his personal reflections, David recounts his journey completing a series of targeted online courses as part of the NEAS Quality ELT Professional Initiative.

The apex NEAS Endorsed ELT Professional Badge is achieved by practitioners who finish the capstone course, “Master Practitioner in ELT”. Join us to find out more about this new and growing professional development programme for ELT practitioners.

Presenter Bio

David is the Deputy Head of International Operations at John Paul College in Queensland, Australia.

David has been involved in international education in various capacities for over 10 years from teaching to leading international programmes and teams. He currently oversees all international operations at John Paul College, Queensland, Australia.

CPD points: 1

Enhancing Collaboration With Your Future Students via Transnational Education

Conference 21.12

Presented by

Jason West

University of Technology Sydney

True transformation of the self or the organisation starts first on the inside and works it’s way out. Transformation occurs when you change the way you think, because it’s the way you think, that changes the way you do! In education, simply teaching students to the test, won’t cut it. Our students need the 21st Century skills that enable them to manage complexity, ambiguity and the challenges of a changing world. In a multicultural, plurilingual world, students with the cultural and language skills, will excel as global entrepreneurs and global citizens. UTS Insearch has been on its own transformative journey, commencing with self-reflection, listening to our students and teachers, and observing the changing landscape in English language teaching. This session shares valuable insights into the transformation of our ELT Curriculum, so that we can prepare students for
success now, at university, and into their working lives.

When we started our curriculum review process, we initially thought it was a case of taking our existing curriculum and refreshing the content, a new version if you like. What we’ve discovered, is that the transformation required, has influenced many parts of our organisation and has required some serious introspection; how to bring all parts of the organisation together to deliver best practice (NEAS) pedagogy, through cutting-edge curriculum design principles. We’ve also changed the way we think about our curriculum, explicitly stating the learning outcomes for students, ensuring that these outcomes are met and enhancing the student experience. Specifically, this session will share the salient steps in our transformation, some of the key lessons learned, and offer advice to other educators, on how to approach genuine transformational change, through your curriculum.

Presenter Bio

Jason West is the Director of Studies at UTS College, the college pathway provider of English language courses, for students heading to the University of Technology Sydney. He has more than 13 years’ experience, teaching and leading ESL programs and teams. Prior to joining UTS Insearch, Jason was previously the Head of English at SILC (Shanghai Institute of Language and Commerce) a JV between UTS and Shanghai University.

He has more than 10 years’ experience teaching TESOL courses to predominantly Chinese students in Shanghai, and more generally to international students in both Shanghai and Sydney. He has presented at several international conferences on ESL related topics. Jason is passionate about developing teams, to help our students build their English language skills for success at university and as global citizens.

CPD points: 1

How did I Get Here? From Back-Packer to Rewarding Career in International Education

Conference 21.11

Presented by

Dr Pamela Humphreys

Director, Macquarie University English Language Centre

Dr Pamela Humphreys has worked in international education in five countries for over 30 years. She holds a PhD, is a Senior Fellow of both the HEA and IEAA, a TEQSA Expert, and published author. She is currently the Director of Macquarie University International College and English Language Centre, where she was a 2019 finalist in the Educational Leadership category of the Vice Chancellor’s Awards. But how did she get here? Originally planning to travel the world and avoid a career, how did a back-packer end up with a rewarding career in international education? This presentation will use pivotal moments in Pamela’s professional journey to provide tips to those on their own leadership journey in the sector.

Presenter Bio

Dr Pamela Humphreys is the Director of Macquarie University International College and English Language Centre. She has worked in the English language and higher education sectors for 30 years in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. She was Assistant Principal Examiner for IELTS and exam item writer for many years. She has won multiple national awards for her work in post-entry language support and for educational leadership, and has published widely on academic language and learning. In 2016, her PhD thesis, on the topic of English language proficiency in higher education, was awarded the IEAA award for outstanding postgraduate thesis in international education. In 2018, she became Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and, in 2019, she became Senior Fellow of IEAA and an approved TEQSA Expert in her field. Pamela is passionate about supporting EAL students’ language and literacy needs before and during their university studies.

CPD points: 1

The Teacher I Want to Be, Should Be and Fear Becoming

Conference 21.10

Presented by

Sharon Leslie

Southern Cross University College

EAP teachers in university direct-entry programs are both language and genre specialists; they are teachers of academic and digital skills and literacies (Murray, 2018; Roche, 2017), and they are often the first point of contact for international students experiencing isolation and other emotional challenges (Ding & Bruce, 2017; Kahu & Nelson, 2018; Wilson, 2017). The rewarding but challenging, multi-faceted role played by EAP teachers in Australian university direct-entry programs can prove transformative in the lives of their students, but there is little research into how EAP teachers see their professional roles as educators. Understanding the identity of this cohort has never been more important. Their own transformative journeys as educators since March, 2020 and their ability to ‘pivot’, ‘adapt’ and be resilient in times of great turmoil in the sector may prove key to ensuring a sustainable future for ELICOS post-COVID-19.

Presented by

Sharon Leslie is the Director of English Language Program at Southern Cross University, Australia. She has worked for almost two decades in English language education and assessment in Australia. Before joining Southern Cross University in 2015, Sharon worked as an advisory visiting teacher for Education Queensland and as a teacher and manager in TAFE and ELICOS Colleges. Sharon also worked for eight years with QUT as an IELTS Examiner. She holds a Master of Education (TESOL), a Bachelor of Education (Honours) a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Applied Linguistics). Sharon’s research interests include language assessment, international student engagement, online learning and teacher professional development. The latter is the focus of her doctoral studies. Sharon is on the management committee of the Queensland Association of TESOL (Qatesol) and the Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA).

CPD points: 1

How to Increase Student Engagement in Online Learning Environments

Conference 21.9

Presented by

Jarrad Merlo

E2 Language

NEAS’ Health Check conducted during the onset of the COVID19 pandemic revealed low levels of student motivation towards online learning. Little wonder considering the ‘rapid shift’ most schools made. But it cannot stay this way. Student engagement in online learning environments is a persistent and complicated issue whose solution involves a variety of pedagogic and technological considerations. In this session, Jarrad Merlo, Director of Teaching and Learning at E2Language – the world’s most popular B2C test preparation platform – unpacks proven strategies to increase and maintain your students’ motivation to continue to study online (and even enjoy it!). These strategies involve interrelated key factors including course structures, process flows, instructional design, presentation skills, learner data and more. This presentation will be helpful to administrators, teachers and/or learning designers who want to improve their students’ online learning experiences.

Presenter Bio

Jarrad Merlo is co-founder and director of teaching and learning at E2Language, NEAS’ first “quality assured” online English language school. E2Language is a purpose-built website for IELTS, PTE-A, TOEFL and OET preparation that includes self-study courses, 1:1 online tutorials, live group classes and various assessments. It registers around 1,500 new users every day. Jarrad is also extremely knowledgeable about new media; his YouTube videos, for example, have been viewed tens of millions of times and his channels have half a million loyal subscribers. Evidently, Jarrad has considerable expertise in how to build and market online language learning courses and how to teach English online.

CPD points: 1

A Transformative Journey: Quality Assurance in a Multi-Campus Institution

Conference 21.8

Presented by

Paul Williams

CQU English

Will Alderton

CQU English

The journey towards quality assurance in a multi-campus institution is made more challenging by the nature of its context. How does the institution maintain a balance between standardisation and meeting local needs? This is a challenge familiar to CQUEnglish, the English language provider for CQUniversity Australia, given its four campuses spread across three states, in both regional and metro settings. A strong focus on quality assurance has enabled CQUEnglish to deliver sustainable programs that not only meet the need of individual campuses, but which have been resilient to the disruptions of COVID-19.

This presentation will provide an overview of two key aspects of the strategy adopted at CQUEnglish: the curriculum, which has been designed specifically to ensure standardisation while meeting local needs; and the continuous improvement framework, which incorporates student and teacher feedback, and assessment validation to identify team projects. It will then show how these two key aspects have enabled CQUEnglish to adapt to online delivery in response to the challenges brought about by COVID-19. The session will be of value to anyone in a multi-campus institution, from teachers through to directors, who will leave equipped with ideas to transform the quality of their centres.

Presenter Bios

Paul Williams (Cambridge Delta, IDLTM, CertICT) is a Senior Teacher for CQUEnglish in Melbourne. He has been teaching Business, General and Academic English courses for over ten years. His interests include all aspects of English Language Teaching and Management, particularly blended learning, cross-cultural communication, curriculum design and assessment. Paul is currently studying a Master of Business Administration at CQUniversity Australia.

Will Alderton (MAppLing TESOL, IDLTM, Cambridge Delta) is the Director of Studies at CQUEnglish, CQUniversity Australia’s English Language centre, and the Convener of English Australia’s Direct Entry Programs Special Interest Group. He has worked in English Language Teaching and International Education since 2005, both as a teacher and academic manager, and is an associate editor for the Language Education in Asia journal. His interests include Educational leadership, English for Academic Purposes, and promoting the wellbeing of international students.

CPD points: 1

Teaching Incarcerated Students

Conference 21.7

Presented by

Rufus James

NEAS Australia

Have you ever imagined going to work with your uniform adorned with epaulettes, carrying a massive bunch of keys & throwing your body weight against heavy metal doors that crash closed with a deafening clang? Working with incarcerated students can be the most rewarding, challenging & demanding job, but is truly one that makes a difference to both students & the wider community. This interactive & engaging session will take you on a wild ride through the trials, tribulations & successes of being an Education Officer in a men’s high security prison & discuss the innovative introduction of a teacher training course for Peer Tutors.

Presenter Bio

Rufus James is currently an Education Officer at a men’s high security protection prison in Brisbane. In previous lives she has been an Academic Manager, university lecturer, CELTA trainer, NEAS Quality Assurance Assessor, chalet maid & lifeguard. Professionally, she is interested in authentic & inspirational leadership, education as a rehabilitative tool & positive psychology. On a talented amateur basis, she is a lover of terrible puns, Norwich City FC & travel (muffled sob).

CPD points: 1

Recovering, Rebuilding, Reimagining: Transforming Classrooms to Protect the World From Disaster

Conference 21.6

Presented by

Professor Peter O’Connor

Director of the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, The University of Auckland

For over thirty years Professor Peter O’Connor has created theatre in classrooms, prisons, psychiatric hospitals, in earthquakes zones and on Skid Row in Los Angeles, the epicentre of homelessness in North America. Reflecting on these experiences he will explore how the arts in English language education are a  tool to heal and to imagine new possibilities. Peter’s keynote presentation reaffirms the importance of the imagination as central to the preservation of democracy as it makes creative and critical citizens hopeful for transforming the world into a more socially just and kinder place.

Presenter Bio

Professor O’Connor is an internationally recognised expert in making and researching applied theatre and drama education. He has made theatre in prisons, psychiatric hospitals, earthquake zones and with the homelss. He was the founding director of Everyday Theatre, a national theatre in education programme on preventing family violence and child abuse that has worked with over 60,000 children. His work in Christchurch schools following the series of earthquakes lead to UNESCO funded research and programme development and the development of the Teaspoon of Light Theatre Company. In 2012 he was named the Griffith University School of Education and Professional Studies Alumnus of the Year.

Peter’s most recent research includes multi and interdisciplinary studies on the creative pedagogies and the arts, the nature of embodied learning and the pedagogy of surprise.

In 2019 the play he directed with the Hobson Street Theatre Company, New Zealand’s only theatre company for people who are or have been homeless, won the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Community Arts Award. He has continued his theatre makign with the homeless at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles wiht the Skid Row Housing Trust.

Peter supervises Doctoral and Masters students using arts based methodologies with a social justice focus. He is an experienced suprervisor of the PhD with creative component.

CPD points: 1

Maintaining Access to a Large-Scale Test of Academic Language Proficiency During the Pandemic: Perspectives on Remote Proctoring

Conference 21.5

Presented by

Heidi Reid

Times Education Group

Dr Aleksandr Voninski

ETS TOEFL

In this session, we will present our perspectives and experiences relating to administering high stakes English language testing for both Schools and University admissions. Due to the prolonged closure of many test centres around the world during the current health crises, English language testing has had to quickly evolve and find viable testing solutions. The overall improvement in internet bandwidth on and offshore has opened opportunities for secure and reliable remote proctoring options to test candidates’ English language ability from the safety of their own home. This has enabled admissions teams across Schools, TAFEs and Universities to continue to assess prospective applicants, objectively determine their language and communication skills, as well as safeguard their entry standards by viewing or listening to test taker speaking and listening test components.

In this session, we will present ETS research conducted across 2020 and released in early 2021 on remote proctoring for higher education entry, as well as iDAT perspectives on remote proctored English tests for Schools applicants. We will discuss mode comparability for test-centre and at-home versions of English language tests, security considerations for test providers, implications for test validation, addressing fairness and equity, as well addressing privacy concerns of test takers. We will raise the question of how technology can positively impact both the test taker and the admissions process. We will invite participants to consider how we can continue to innovate the English test experience whilst maintaining test quality, access, equity, and secure and reliable outcomes. We will also invite participants to consider how remote proctor technology may be applied in English language teaching and continual assessment.

Presenter Bios

Educated in Canada and Australia, Heidi has worked in international education for more than 20 years in Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia. She has worked as an Academic Manager, PEO and Academic Director for private ELICOS for the past 12 years. She currently sits on the Advisory Council for NEAS (Quality Assurance for English Language Schools) and was previously on their Board of Directors. Ms Reid is active in the International Education Association of Australia and is an advocate and spokesperson for English, Pathways and international education. Heidi Reid has a Masters of TESOL, Grad Dip Ed (Primary), MBA (Human Resource Management).

Alek has provided leadership, engaging strategy, sound management skills and expert consulting to the international education sector over the last 20 years. He has held senior positions within International, External Relations, Strategy and Marketing functions of a large research-intensive university for more than a decade as well as experience in the private education sector, both on and offshore.

CPD points: 1

Simple Yet Powerful Techniques to Maintain Your Wellbeing During Times of Intense Stress

Conference 21.4

Presented by

Dr Georgi Toma

Founder, Heart and Brain Works

While it draws on scientific research, this session’s main objective is to give you concrete tools that you can implement in your life now. Dr Georgi Toma will present effective formulas to minimise stress and overwork and will examine:

1. What’s really causing your stress to soar
2. A simple, yet powerful technique to reduce stress instantly
3. How to prevent and reverse burnout

She will also discuss ways to cultivate balance and harmony in our daily personal and professional lives.

Presenter Bio

Georgi is the creator of the Wellbeing Protocol, a mental health protocol designed to reduce stress, burnout and anxiety. She is the founder of Heart and Brain Works, an organization dedicated to helping people worldwide transform burnout into balance easily and sustainably.

Georgi is also a wellbeing researcher. She is currently conducting research at the University of Auckland on the impact of the Wellbeing Protocol on New Zealand teachers during COVID19.

CPD points: 1

Everyday Experience and Little Changes: A Different Perspective on Big Ideas and Transformative Education

Conference 21.3

Presented by

Associate Professor Kelly Freebody

The University of Sydney

In this plenary discussion, Associate Professor Freebody will critically consider how the small teaching moments available to us as teachers, students, parents, and community members can be drawn together to build transformative education. Using Hughes’ (2017) framework for reducing prejudice in and through education, along with recent research in transformative pedagogy, she will explore the role of teachers and educational institutions in an increasingly turbulent global environment. While focussing on ‘big ideas’ Freebody argues, like Dirkx (2000), that such ideas are experienced in the everyday and that as teachers, it is our interactions with students that facilitate the kinds of learning needed to make social or personal change. The centrality of intercultural experiences, critical reflection, metacognition and empathy will be discussed, exploring their position and potential for creating little changes to how students understand and act on and with the world.

Dirkx, J. (2000). After the burning bush: Transformative learning as imaginative engagement with everyday experience. Paper presented at the Challenges of practice: Transformative learning in action, New York.
Hughes, C. (2017). Understanding Prejudice and Education: The challenge for future generations. London: Routledge.

Presenter Bio

Kelly’s research interests draw on methodological innovation and theory development in the area of applied drama for social justice – focusing on intersections between English Language Teaching, drama, social justice, education, and qualitative research methods.

Kelly is a qualified secondary drama and English teacher, with experience teaching in Australia, the UK, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Kelly coordinates core pedagogy units in The Combined Degrees in education, with a focus on creative and critical pedagogy, school-community relationships, and pedagogies of hope.

CPD points: 1

Learning English and More: Multilingual Experiences and Identity Transformation of English Language Students in Australia

Conference 21.2

Presented by

Dr Phil Chappell

Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, Macquarie University

Yulia Kharchenko

English Language Teacher, Macquarie University English Language Centre

In this session, Phil and Yulia present our ongoing research into what kind of transformative experiences international English language students have during their study in Australia. For many, the realities of living, working and socialising in multilingual environments do not reflect their pre-arrival expectations of studying in an English-speaking country. While we know a lot about what our learners experience in their classrooms and colleges, we are only beginning to understand how their out-of-class environments help shape both linguistic and non-linguistic aspects of study abroad.

Phil and Yulia present findings from case studies of four English language students’ out-of-class experiences in multilingual Sydney. They will demonstrate that the path to second language learning is intertwined with personal and identity development as students navigate through their new international environments. We invite participants to consider the implications of our study for teaching approaches and their relevance for both on-campus and online students.

Presenter Bios

Phil Chappell is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics and TESOL at Macquarie University, Deputy Head of the Department of Linguistics and a member of the Faculty Multilingualism Research Centre. He conducts research in a variety of areas of ELT, teaches on the Graduate Certificate of TESOL and Master of Applied Linguistics and TESOL programs, and supervises TESOL research students. Phil has taught and managed overseas and in Australia in a range of English language programs.

Yulia Kharchenko is an English language teacher and a higher degree researcher. She has taught in Russia, Ireland and Australia in a variety of tertiary, adult and migrant education settings. She currently teaches on the Graduate Certificate of TESOL at Macquarie University. Her research interests include multilingual pedagogy, language policies in education and language learner identity.

CPD points: 1

Why Crisis, Confusion, Collaboration, and Creativity Matter

Conference 21.1

Presented by

Professor Anne Burns

Professor of TESOL, School of Education, UNSW

Transformation is not an event but a journey, often triggered by change that is broad and deep in its impact. In the age of Covid 19, we’ve been living through a highly significant and disruptive political, social, economic and educational change that has profoundly affected the way many of us see our work both institutionally and personally. Where has this cataclysmic period of time left us and how can we use it for opportunity and change?

In this talk I will aim to bring some kind of understanding of how transformative journeys engage us in the 4Cs of crisis, confusion, collaboration, and creativity. I will argue that all these processes are, nevertheless, fundamental to authentic educational change. Along the way, I will illustrate my presentation with examples of some transformative journeys in education, and to conclude will aim to draw out some messages for educational institutions and managers.

Presenter Bio

Professor Anne Burns began her career as a teacher of English and worked in Australia in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and later in the National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research (NCELTR) and Department of Linguistics at Macquarie University for over 20 years. She has also held academic positions at UNSW, Sydney and at Aston University UK, where she is an Emeritus Professor. She is an Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney and The Education University Hong Kong, and is currently a Visiting Professor at Kanda University of International Studies, Japan.

Since 2010 she has worked with English Australia as a key reference person for the national Action Research in ELICOS Program and has published extensively on this topic.

CPD points: 1