With assignments (Assignment One) being almost due I wanted to wish you the best in terms of finalising your material and readying it for presentation.

As a marker I will be looking for an affirmation of your having addressed the topic. Your individual findings are important along with verification of viewpoints from the background of literature and experience.

English as a Different Language is a matter that is more and more an issue for us as teachers. Australia is truly multicultural. Our students bring a rich mix of background in terms of langauge an culture to our schools and classrooms. Fortunately, we have come a long way in terms of recognising all our students and the need to cater for them through positive and engaging educational practices.

Can I suggest you consider discussing your assignment and its preparartion with colleagues? Bouncing off each other in a collegiate sense helps when it comes to clarifying points of view and tweaking things included in writing. Building strong networks helps us all when it comes to individual and collective development.

Thomas Sergiovanni when discussing organisations wrote that ‘people do not work in vacuuns’. That came from the 1960’s or 1970’s and it holds true. We grow professionally through sharing.Consider that assignments are a way of sharing viewpoints of students with markers. Part of that conversation is the feedback markers are able to provide students. Standards are expected and it is important that the assignment requirements are addressed. That said, markers aim to offer positive and constructive feedback.

My approach will be to offer commendation and recognise effort. I will aim to offer suggestions you might find helpful. At the end of my marking program, I will write a document that summarises the assignment from the viewpoint of overall commendations and recommendations.

All the very best with your studies and preparation toward being one of our classroom