May News Updates
La Trobe University takes education courses to the next level
Unique in Victoria, the new Bachelor of Outreach and Community Education offered by La Trobe University prepares students to take learning further into the community.
Increasingly schools and other educational programs are looking for new ways to teach disengaged learners and distressed communities. One way to reach these students is to go outside the schools and into the communities they come from.
The La Trobe course combines major sequences of studies in areas such as mathematics or English with a sequence of studies in social work so that
graduates will be prepared to promote student learning in one of the central areas of education and to work constructively with disengaged youth by teaching them within their families or communities.
‘Not only will I be able to teach students of all ages, but I will learn to identify and help children who need it most,’ says Samantha Jane Dawson, who is taking the course this year.
A key benefit of studying this degree, is that students are able to teach at both primary and secondary levels.
‘One of the innovative features of this course is the way that it enables education as a discipline to cooperate with social work as a discipline so that students are prepared to engage with a wide range of issues shaping diversity in learning. This cooperation reinforces our capacity to engage with worlds that are often unfair and perceived to not offer hope to young people,’ explains Dr Howard Nicholas, Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Education.
Wesley College — An International Student’s Reflection
Living in a foreign country is not an easy task, especially for international students who have left their home countries and have come to Australia alone. They are used to the easy life created by their parents and, all of a sudden, they have to do everything by themselves. It is critical therefore, that schools provide support and connections to assist with the transition into this new environment.
Wesley College helps connect us to a country widely known for its multiculturalism, and this connection definitely makes it easier for international students, especially with its culture of welcoming students and friendly staff.
Wesley is a warm community which provides us with a sense of belonging. My first impression of Wesley was its unique purple uniform. I instantly realised that this was a school where students show their unity and international students really notice the strong connection between all students and staff, created through various activities and events. I was also overwhelmed by the range of cocurricular opportunities which many of us do not have in our home countries, such as the wide variety of sports, drama performances and music ensembles. The International Club, made up of local and international students, organises events such as Cultural Diversity Week, Chinese New Year celebrations and the International Dinner, and these all help international students become part of the Wesley community and their cultural identities acknowledged.
Australian students are easy-going and friendly. There might be some language difficulties when communicating, but they are keen to listen and learn about our culture. It is always a delightful experience to teach Australian students some Chinese! Some international students feel more comfortable in their cultural groups, but events such as house activities (eg house swimming), after school sports and camps, also provide an opportunity for us to mix with a wide range of students.
The teachers and administration staff are always helpful and patient. Teachers take into account that language may be a barrier to learning and they offer help whenever it is needed.
When asked why I chose Wesley College, I say I love the colour purple, but deep down is a real pride of being a part of this school’s culture.
Thomas Shi, International Prefect, Class of 2010
