About ATESOLNSW

50 years of helping

We are a community of educators, dedicated to helping improve the educational outcomes for learners of English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) and promoting multilingualism.  We proudly support all learners including our first nations people who speak a traditional language or dialect, students from refugee backgrounds, and recent migrants. 

ATESOL NSW Inc. is a non-profit professional association for teachers that was formed in 1971, as ATEFL. It assumed its current name in March 2002. ATESOL NSW is an affiliate of the Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA), which is the peak body for all state and territory TESOL associations in Australia.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote the development of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) expertise of specialist and class teachers in order to improve educational outcomes for learners of English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D), including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who speak traditional Indigenous languages, creoles and varieties of Aboriginal English.

Membership of ATESOL NSW, means joining a community of teachers who believe deeply that what we do is more than just a job, we are passionate about helping learners discover their interests, strengths and realise their personal potential.

Our Council

As a non-profit association, we rely on the generosity, passion and volunteer time of a core group of professionals. We love welcoming new members to our Council, to bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm and to share the effort required to keep ATESOL strong. Our current Council members are:

Executive Committee

President
Michael Michell
(atesolnswpresident@gmail.com)

Vice President
Robyn Johnson

Treasurer
Mark Fraser

Secretary & Registrar
Luke Nolan

Other Council Roles

ACTA Councillors
Michael Michell
Margaret Turnbull
Cindy Valdez

MEAG Representative
Michael Michell

Newsletter Editors
Glenice Aiken
Marina Pearce

Public Officer
Magaret Turnbull

Secondary EAL/D Matters
Margaret Wajs

Professional Learning Coordinators
Jonelle Uptin
Bess Wassman

Social Media & Website

Cindy Valdez 

Other Councillors

Fiona Braybrooks
Melaine Davies
David Partridge
Kathy Rushton
Gabrielle Weiss

Council Meetings

7 March, 4 April, 2 May, 6 June, 1 Aug, 5 Sept, 14 Nov AGM @7pm + Council Meeting to follow afterwards.

Our meetings are via Zoom @7pm on Tuesday nights.  If you are a financial member and would like to attend our next meeting or add items on the Agenda, please email:  atesolnswinc@gmail.com

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Ambassadors

Oliver Phommavanh

Oliver is a teacher, author of children's books and a stand-up comedian. He grew up in a household where English was not their first language, having gone on to become an educator with deep empathy and having a unique talent to use humour to cut through and communicate with people.

Watch Oliver here as he calls teachers to join “the movement” of educators striving to support multilingual students.

Visit his website to find out more!

Irena Kobald

Irena is the author of children's books and an artist. Born in a mountain village in Austria with a Masters in Russian, Irena learned English through her own informal education. Did you know she has completed her TESOL qualifications at the University of Southern Queensland? Her first book, My Two Blankets, covers themes including cultural diversity, integration and social issues. It also talks of family, friendship and feelings, bringing together not only the broader context of inclusion but the rich conversations around how we connect as individuals.

Visit her website to find out more!

Oliver Phommavanh

Oliver is a teacher, author of children's books and a stand-up comedian. He grew up in a household where English was not their first language, having gone on to become an educator with deep empathy and having a unique talent to use humour to cut through and communicate with people.

Watch Oliver here as he calls teachers to join “the movement” of educators striving to support multilingual students.

Visit his website to find out more!

Irena Kobald

Irena is the author of children's books and an artist. Born in a mountain village in Austria with a Masters in Russian, Irena learned English through her own informal education. Did you know she has completed her TESOL qualifications at the University of Southern Queensland? Her first book, My Two Blankets, covers themes including cultural diversity, integration and social issues. It also talks of family, friendship and feelings, bringing together not only the broader context of inclusion but the rich conversations around how we connect as individuals.

Visit her website to find out more!

ACTA

As a member of ATESOL NSW you are automatically become a member of the Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA). This national TESOL association is made up of all members from state and territory ATESOL NSW associations. As an ACTA member you have access to professional learning offered by any affiliate ATESOL NSW association, to national ACTA conferences, to advocacy information and to the TESOL in Context journal.
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