The consultation draft of the Language and Literacy Levels across the Australian Curriculum: EALD Students document is on the web! It will not be published in hard copy for at least the first year while it is a consultation draft. To view or download it go to www.decd.sa.gov.au/literacy/ >EALD>Lang & Lit Levels.
It describes the development of Standard Australian English required to meet the increasing demands of the Australian Curriculum across the years of schooling from Foundation (Reception) to Year 10. It is primarily an assessment, monitoring and reporting document to be used to inform programming and planning for all teachers. The document replaces the ESL Scope and Scales in use for at least the last decade.
Bronwyn Custance was the lead writer and used her substanial knowledge of language and the Australian Curriculum to complete what I am sure will be seen as a very valuable assessment and planning resource for a range of teachers. She was supported in the writing by the EALD consultants and the reference group which consisted of DECD and Catholic Education staff.
Professional Learning to support the implementation of the document is almost finalised and fliers will be distributed by the start of Term 1. Even though a significant amount of PL will be delivered by EALD consultants next term, school based literacy leaders will also be able to deliver the training by downloading PowerPoints and detailed facilitator notes from the web. More information about how to access these will also be sent to schools early next year.
I have just learnt that the EALD positions will be rolled over for Term 1. However, two of the current consultants will be moving on so there will only be six consultants during next term. Pam Boyle is retiring and Carmen Liddane has won the position of IELC coordinator at Goodwood Primary. They have both made valuable contributions to the EALD Programs team over a long period. I wish them both well.
Finally I hope you all enjoy safe and happy holidays and I look forward to adding some more posts in 2013.
