Conference presentation
Preparing Papuan English language teachers for Australian Development Scholarships
USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
Abstract
The Australian government established the Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) program to assist developing countries to improve the quality of their public sector human resources. The program aims to provide access to postgraduate study in Australia and thereby build the capacity of participants to advance the development outcomes of their country. To apply for ADS, applicants must fi rst sit an English proficiency test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Achievement of IELTS 5.0 qualifi es the participants to apply for the ADS program. Upon the successful award of an ADS, funding is provided for additional English language study and to sit a final IELTS test to gain entry into a postgraduate program at an Australian university (e.g. Masters programs require IELTS 6.5). However, the problem for participants in remote regions like Papua Indonesia is that they do not have access to the IELTS test, quality English instruction, or to a course to prepare them for the test in the first instance. This presentation reports an intervention program with a group of 14 Papuan English teachers that was designed to bridge this gap and initiate reform in the Papuan education system. The objective was to provide a preparation program and access to an IELTS test conducted in Papua to enhance participants' English language proficiency, test taking strategies and confidence so that they could attain IELTS 5.0 and apply for ADS. Preparation materials were delivered through face-to-face, email and self-study modes. Two instruments evaluated the impact of the preparation program: a questionnaire and three IELTS tests; two unofficial tests conducted during the program and one official IELTS test conducted post-program. Significant gains in English proficiency, test taking strategies and confidence were achieved. Lessons were learnt concerning the provision of test preparation in a developing country that may assist in designing similar programs.
Details
- Title
- Preparing Papuan English language teachers for Australian Development Scholarships
- Authors
- Michael D Carey (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2013
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2013 the author. Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Education - Legacy; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Education and Tertiary Access; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448932102621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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