The Refugee Action Support Program : developing understandings of diversity

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    In a world increasingly globalised, it is crucial that preservice teachers are equipped with a range of pedagogical knowledges, understandings and practices related to diversity and difference. This paper reports on the implementation and learning outcomes of a teacher preparation initiative in an Australian university called Refugee Action Support, which seeks to develop and enhance such awareness. The initiative provides targeted training to preservice teachers in the vital areas of literacy and numeracy tuition, with the specific aim of preparing them to tutor humanitarian refugee students in high schools in Western Sydney, Australia. Drawing on key principles of academic service learning, the program promotes a context for reciprocal learning where young students are supported in their development of academic skills and sociocultural understandings while, simultaneously, preservice teachers gain an appreciation of the complex dynamics related to teaching, students and diversity.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)395-407
    Number of pages13
    JournalTeaching Education
    Volume20
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Keywords

    • Western Sydney University
    • community and college
    • education (secondary)
    • literacy
    • multicultural education
    • numeracy
    • refugee children
    • student teachers
    • teacher education

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