TESOLANZ | Special Interest Groups

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

TESOLANZ represents teachers in Early Childhood Education, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors, a wider range of members than other teacher associations. Working in English language teaching means that you could be teaching in early childhood centres, primary, intermediate and secondary schools, universities or polytechnics, private language schools, private training establishments (PTEs), community schools, English Language Partners, etc. While it is very advantageous to work across the range of contexts, TESOLANZ has established special interest groups (SIGs) to cater for the particular needs of primary, secondary and tertiary members. We are in the process of establishing an Early Childhood Education SIG.

Each SIG has one or two co-ordinators and a steering group. They provide a voice/conduit for their sector to and from the TESOLANZ Executive.They organise professional development specific to the sector, often online. Each newsletter has an update from the SIG coordinators and there is an opportunity for SIG members to meet together at the biennial conference, CLESOL. The SIG coordinators sometimes organise other forms of communication or activities that meet particular needs of their sector.

With input from SIGs, TESOLANZ has a significant role in national developments impacting English Language Learners (ELLs). We are recognised by NZQA and the Ministry of Education as the voice of New Zealand TESOL. So, as the national body, we can lobby for recognition of ELLs' learning in submissions to the government, surveys and requests for participation from national bodies. TESOLANZ organises, through SIGs, for representative teachers of ELLs to be on panels that relate to curriculum, such as the Curriculum Voices Group and to national qualifications such as NZQA's review of English Language and English for Academic Purposes standards.

If you are interested in learning more about your sector or being more active, contact the relevant SIG coordinator. For the Early Childhood Education (ECE), please contact Juliet Fry in the meantime. For more information about our SIG coordinators, see Our People.

Primary

The Primary Sector Special Interest Group was formed to provide a primary perspective in TESOLANZ. Some issues noted by ESOL teachers working in primary schools around New Zealand are:

That the face of ESOL teaching has changed over the last few years, partly influenced by the number of International Students attending our schools.
The positive effects of Cluster Groups as much needed Professional Development.
The need for curriculum support for ESOL teachers, and support for NESB students in their mainstream classes.
The increasing number of students who are coming to NZ with special learning needs as well as their NESB needs.

If you are a TESOLANZ member with an interest in these or other issues affecting ESOL teaching in a New Zealand primary school, contact the Primary SIG Coordinator to be added to the Primary SIG email list.

Secondary Specialist Interest Group (Secondary SIG)

Primarily the Secondary SIG provides guidance, mentoring, community and professional development opportunities to teachers working with English Language Learners in New Zealand secondary schools. The SIG also gives secondary teachers a voice in TESOLANZ policy-making and lobbying.

Current discussion topics include:

How does NCEA impact English Language Learners?
How can teachers prepare learners for CAA assessment?
What are the alternative pathways for English Language Learners who do not achieve the co-requisites or get NCEA?
How do ELLs who arrive late in secondary school achieve NCEA?
How should English language learning be described in the curriculum??
Should English language be considered in a learning area in the New Zealand curriculum?
Should there be English Language achievement standards?

If these issues concern you we would love to have you join the Secondary SIG.

Contact the Secondary SIG Coordinator