In this episode of Language on the Move Podcast, Dr Agnes Bodis talks to Cindy Valdez, an English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) specialist, and Founder & CEO of Teach To Learn, an international education exchange program.
Cindy is passionate about inclusion, helping other educators develop leadership in EAL/D and cater for the academic and wellbeing needs of multilingual learners, including students from refugee backgrounds. She is an author of professional publications, served as President of the Association for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ATESOL) NSW and is Member of the Board of Directors of Primary English Teaching Association of Australia known as PETAA.
Cindy Valdez teaching in Cambodia (Image credit: Cindy Valdez via SBS)
Additional materials
- “They changed me”: Filipina educator on helping refugee students survive peace, SBS Filipino (2023)
- Valdez Adams, C. (2022) “Including” English as and Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) Learners in Your Classroom. Journal of Professional Learning 2
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Thanks for letting us listen to your interesting conversation, Agi and Cindy! Returning to teaching soon, I find it helpful to be reminded that students’ multilingualism is a gift, an asset, a rich resource that teachers should recognize and welcome in the classroom. Cindy, I admire your desire to give back to the community that gifted you with your first language, to keep learning, and to find joy in both. Mabuhay ka!
Maraming, maraming Salamat, Pia! ‘Appreciate the kind words. ”…students’ multilingualism is a gift, an asset, a rich resource that teachers should recognize and welcome in the classroom.” That’s pretty much my life’s work distilled into one sentence! I’m so glad our conversation resonated with you. Wishing you all the best as you return to teaching. Mabuhay, talaga (indeed)! Feel free to reach out, too, if you need anything. Cheers!