University of Otago College of Education

Research Seminar - 7 July
Reshaping bicultural and local curriculum – A case study from a community practice

Presenter: Roberta Carvalho

"Teachers Helping Teachers" and the "Stories About Ourselves" Project.

Abstract: The talk will introduce TESOLANZ Dunedin members to the work of THT, a Special Interest Group (SIG) within JALT (the Japan Association for Language Teaching), which offers English language teachers in limited-resource countries across Asia, in-country professional development support. EFL teachers in THT host countries face significant professional development and teaching/learning challenges, which THT aims to address in a spirit of mutual learning, sharing and collaboration. This talk will also focus on a specific ongoing international collaborative project, conducted under the umbrella of THT and BELTA (the Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association), that provides culturally relevant English language teaching materials to EFL students and teachers in Bangladesh. Using 'homegrown' stories (written by the Bangladeshi project teacher-participants), the project maintains an online presence, providing free resources with a Bangladeshi flavour, to the wider Bangladeshi EFL teaching and learning community. The resources emphasise English language reading skills and high-frequency vocabulary learning and promote meaningful classroom interaction and critical thinking. The presentation will also outline how the project has made a significant contribution to the professional up-skilling of the teacher-participants.

Presenter: Cherie Sedine is a former university ESOL teacher, having worked at Unitec (Auckland), the University of Waikato Language Institute (former Auckland Branch), the University of Otago Language Centre, and most recently for 12 years in Japan. First, as an EFL Lecturer at Miyazaki International University and then as an Assistant Professor at Akita International University. While teaching academic skills in both English-medium universities in Japan, and as an active volunteer member of THT, she also engaged in teacher development work with university and secondary school EFL teachers in Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan. Cherie has published numerous academic works and has presented extensively at international conferences. With the support of BELTA, she initiated the ongoing collaborative "Stories About Ourselves" project in Bangladesh in 2018. Cherie is a former Dunedin TESOLANZ member and is now happily retired and once again Dunedin based.

We were honoured to host our local MP Hon Rachel Brooking and her colleague Hon Ginny Andersen, the new Opposition Spokesperson for Education, on campus today. Robyn Wood and Rachelle Moors, the principals of George Street Normal School and Northeast Valley Normal School, also joined us.

We discussed the education system, initial teacher education, current challenges in schools, and the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study.

Thank you to Rachel and Ginny for taking the time to visit us!

University of Otago College of Education Invercargill
Information Evening Thursday 6th August 7pm at
100 Nelson Street
Come along and find out about studying to be a Primary or Primary Bi-cultural teacher.

We will be teaching our programmes from SIT from 2027. See the QR code below for further information

Have you registered for our 150th Celebration and reunion yet? Early bird registrations are still open! We’d love to hear about your favourite memories from your time studying or working at the College. Share your memories here:
https://events.otago.ac.nz/education150/college-memories

This morning, students and staff came together for our Pink Ribbon Breakfast, beautifully organised by Shannon and Sian, in support of breast cancer awareness and research. A huge thank you to Alofa @ Mercy Hospital for donating a voucher, and Sarah from https://starfishcafe.co.nz/ for kindly donating food. A beautiful pink sunrise greeted us all!
You can donate via Shannon’s fundraising page here: https://fundraise.bcf.org.nz/fundraisers/shannonmcnatty/pinkribbonbreakfast

Our latest Curriculum Insights and Progress Study results are out. Please join our webinars for an explanation of what they show, led by the study team. See details below.

2025 Foundation Assessments Reports released Assessing and understanding the achievement of primary school students across the New Zealand curriculum. The NMSSA programme has been in operation since 2012.

“Rule number 1: Don’t have adults solving children’s problems, although sometimes children may solve adult’s problems,” says celebrated children’s writer Joy Cowley (ONZ, DCNZM, OBE).

Joy generously shares her insights on ‘The Little Things That Work’, with eight rules learned over a remarkable career writing for our young people. She shared her rules with a rapt audience of staff and students from Te Kura Ākau Taitoka – the University of Otago College of Education – earlier this month.

Joy is a true champion and ally of young readers, and her books have been part of many childhoods, including ‘The Silent One’, ‘Mrs Wishy Washy’ and the ‘Greedy Cat’ series. We were really delighted that ‘Greedy Cat’ illustrator Robyn Belton joined Joy on this visit.

In Joy’s talk, she focuses on beginning readers. As well as her eight rules, she shares stories from her own childhood and life, and reflections on the art of writing for children. Particularly evident are Joy’s respect and advocacy for young readers, her ear for language, her practical approach, and the pleasure she has found in the many connections made throughout her life.

We are deeply grateful to Joy for her generosity in speaking with us and agreeing that we can share her wisdom via this recording.

With the Children’s Writer in Residence on hold as we seek funding, the College is really missing having a children’s writer on site. So, it was a delight to host Joy and celebrate the importance of stories for and about our young readers. You can read more, including how to support our important residency for children’s literature here: http://bit.ly/3R5rGH7

This year we celebrate 150 years of teacher education in Otago. Joy’s talk is a wonderful embodiment of the whakataukī at the heart of these celebrations; 'Hoki whakamuri, kia anga whakamua – Look to the past to forge the future.'

Watch Joy share her insights on YouTube below [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpdPa-KTlss
]

The Little Things That Work: Insights from Joy Cowley Children’s writer and national treasure Joy Cowley (ONZ DCNZM OBE) speaks to staff and students of Otago’s Te Kura Ākau Taitoka - College of Education. Drawi...

Congratulations to all of our Education graduates who crossed the stage today, and a very special congratulations to our colleague, Dr Shannon McNatty, who graduated with her PhD! E poho kererū ana mātou ki a koutou katoa 🙌🏾👏🏽👌🏾❤️

We were very honoured last week to host Joy Cowley on our campus, along with her Greedy Cat illustrator, Robyn Belton. When asked by a student what lesson she wanted children to learn through her stories, Joy’s response was “The child always wins”.

It was a privilege to hear Joy reflect on how she has worked to uplift children’s confidence as both readers and people through her stories.

Kā mihi aroha e Joy!

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