Education authorities around the country are now expecting teachers to plan professional learning, carry out performance management and apply for re-registration using the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST). This is a generic document for teachers in any setting, and consequently needs some interpretation to appreciate its implications when working with learners of English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D).
Interpretation is now available in the EAL/D Elaborations, produced by the Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA) in consultation with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). AITSL acknowledges the work and expertise ACTA has provided in producing this document to support teachers working in EAL/D settings. The EAL/D Elaborations have direct relevance for all such teachers, not just those in EAL/D (or ESL) positions.
There is a full version and a short version of the EAL/D Elaborations. The full version provides a range of ideas and guidance for working with EAL/D learners; the short version provides just a single elaboration for each of the Focus Area Descriptors, and is useful mainly as an introductory tool for people who are not yet very familiar with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
- EAL/D Elaborations – Overview EALD_elaborations_Overview
- EAL/D Elaborations – Short Version EALD_elaborations_Short_Version
- EAL/D Elaborations – Long Version EALD_elaborations_Full_Version
Feedback from trialling shows that people are finding the EAL/D Elaborations very useful in a variety of ways, including for:
- reflecting on and improving their teaching and support of EAL/D learners
- planning whole school and individual professional learning,
- performance management
- job applications
- making staff selections.