AMEP teaching materials show a flair for excellence
Tuesday, 24 July 2008
Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, has welcomed the shortlist of an innovative and interactive Get Wise module in this year’s Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing.
‘The shortlisting is for Your Money, a module from the Get Wise series published by the National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research [NCELTR],’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘The Department of Immigration and Citizenship [DIAC], through the Adult Migrant English Program [AMEP] Research Centre, has worked with NCELTR on a range of projects in the past, and is very pleased to congratulate them on this notable shortlisting.’
Get Wise was launched by the parliamentary secretary in April 2008 and includes six modules specifically designed to help young AMEP students (aged 16-25) build English skills while learning practical lessons about looking after themselves in Australia.
‘Each Get Wise module includes a workbook, DVD and audio CDs. The Your Money module is interactive, with a snakes-and-ladders style board game that rewards strong financial decisions,’ Mr Ferguson said.
Your Money, authored by Maureen Hague and Clare Harris, has been shortlisted for the vocational education teaching and learning section of the awards.
The entries are judged on clarity of writing, pedagogical implications, illustrations, special features and characteristics, quality of subject matter, innovation and flair. Winners will be announced in Sydney on August 7. These awards were established in 1994 and are prestigious in their field.
Mr Ferguson initially introduced the Get Wise materials in April, amid media coverage drawing attention to the problems associated with lending to new refugees who have little understanding of Australia’s financial system.
‘It is hoped that the Get Wise module, Your Money, may address some of these issues by providing a valuable first step to sound financial knowledge,’ the parliamentary secretary said.
Mr Ferguson said he was impressed by the enthusiasm of the authors and the AMEP practitioners at the April launch. ‘The shortlisting is an exciting bonus that substantiates the department’s efforts to meet clients’ needs in an appropriate and useful manner,’ he said.Media Contact: Khaldoun Hajaj - 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08045.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST