Multi-cultural Teacher Aide - Chinese

Government schools; Australia; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Geelong English Language School (GELS) supports eligible Foundation to Year 10 students with English as an Additional Language in the Geelong region. The role focuses on assisting learners across year levels, translating between teachers, students, and families, and coordinating with external support services to strengthen wellbeing and engagement.

The position requires ICT capability, a commitment to professional learning, and strong English and Chinese language skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting students in EAL programs across multiple year levels.
• Proficient communication with students, families, and school community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to use ICT and digital learning tools to assist EAL learning.
• Commitment to ongoing professional learning and growth.
• Strong reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in English and Chinese.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual or small-group learning support under teacher direction.
• Translate communications between teachers and non-English speaking students.
• Translate communications between teachers and non-English speaking parents during enrolment and conferences.
• Assist in translating school documents and resources, including phone interpreting services.
• Prepare basic curriculum resources for EAL learners.
• liaise with external support services, teachers, students, and families.
• Support staff in student wellbeing.
• Share insights on students' cultural backgrounds when possible.
• Literacy in Chinese or other languages is desirable.

Skills

EAL program support

ICT proficiency

Professional learning & growth

Bilingual English/Chinese

Communication with families

Tools

ICT/digital tools

Job description

Location Profile

Geelong English Language School (GELS) provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) instruction to eligible Foundation to Year 10 students who are Newly Arrived in Australia supports teachers and schools in the Greater Geelong area to build EAL teaching skills and develop appropriate EAL programs and policies for students within their first five years of school in Australia Location and delivery Geelong English Language School's main administrative campus is at 12 Pickett Cfrescent Belmont, Geelong. In 2027, GELS will deliver an intensive English language program for New Arrivals students at three campuses; Corio ( F to Yr 6), North Geelong (Yr 7 to Yr 10) and Belmont (F -Yr 6), Students in GELS programs come from a wide range of language, cultural and educational backgrounds. Students are taught in classes of about 13 to ensure that their English language, social learning and wellbeing needs are intensively supported. A school-wide student wellbeing strategy ensures that students and their families are welcomed and supported as newly arrived members of their new community

Selection Criteria

• SC1 Capacity and experience to support teachers and students within intensive EAL programs across all year levels (P-10) at the Geelong English Language School.
• SC2 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with students, families, and school community members from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital learning tools relevant to assisting students with English as an Additional Language (EAL).
• SC4 A commitment to professional learning and growth.
• SC5 Proficient reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in both English and additional Chinese language/s.

Role [Attendance requirement for this position]

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program. An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher. Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3). A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

Responsibilities Multicultural Education Aide:

• Support student learning on an individual or group basis with direction from class teacher
• Translate communication between teachers and non-English speaking students in the classroom
• Support and translate communication between teachers and non-English speaking parents, eg during enrolment interviews and Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Assist in the translation of school documents and resources, including utilising phone interpreting services
• Prepare basic curriculum resources
• Assist school in liaising with external support service providers, teachers, students, and their families
• Support staff in student wellbeing
• Where possible provide teachers with insight into students cultural backgrounds and experiences
• Literacy in Chinese language or a combination of languages is desirable.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines ). Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

• All staff employed by the department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx