Session 1A

Sarah Sim - Deakin University

An internationalised curriculum can include global perspectives and intercultural communication (Clifford 2013). These two components can be utilised in the ESL classroom as our work environment comprises students from a range of countries. Their viewpoints and experiences provide us with many opportunities to embed internationalisation into teaching and learning. How can we best do this? How do we successfully tap into a room full of primary sources? In this workshop I will present some practical ideas for lessons which enable students to directly learn about different cultures from each other. The micro environment of the ESL classroom has the potential to start students on their path as global citizens.

References
Clifford, V 2013 The Elusive Concept of Internationalisation of the Curriculum, Oxford Brookes University, retrieved 28 June 2014,
http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/cci/definitions.html.

Bio data:

I have worked in the international education industry for 17 years, including 5 years in Thailand, Laos, Singapore, India and Vietnam. I've been at Deakin University English Language Institute for 8 years. I'm interested in the role of development in education and wrote my masters thesis on the impact of the Australian Development Scholarships on Lao recipients. International education policy is another of my interests, having worked at Australian Education International in Canberra for over two years. I am passionate about the potential of the ESL classroom to break down cultural barriers and expand students' world views.