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ETA opposes increasing study of Australian literature

The English Teacher's Association (ETA) of NSW has opposed the move to strengthen the teaching of Australian literature in schools.

Published 24 September, 2008

The English Teacher's Association (ETA) of NSW has opposed the move to strengthen the teaching of Australian literature in schools.

The ETA objects to ‘the selective nomination of some types of text as this implies hierarchies in generic form and medium rather than in the quality of the texts themselves', as reported in the Australian.

The ruling was based on a survey of ETA members in which 43 out of 1800 replied. The ETA is also quoted as saying that restricting the definition of literature to the print medium is ‘imprudent, reductive, short-sighted and, most importantly, undermines the integrity of current English syllabuses'.

The ETA argues that ‘Any definition of 'Australian' needs to see Australia in a global context, and to take account of indigenous and multicultural perspectives'.

However, Jeremy Fisher, executive director of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) says the ETA's published comments are ‘a total insult to Australian authors and their achievements'.

Fisher told the Australian in response that a trial conducted by the ASA and the NSW and Federal Departments of Education and Training in fact proved that teaching Australian literature in schools ‘increases both literacy levels and the engagement of students with narrative forms'. He encourages Australian authors to respond to the Australian's article.

Source: http://www.booksellerandpublisher.com.au/articles/2008/09/09611/

This article from Thorpe Bowker's Weekly Book Newsletter and Media Extra is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

Tags: jeremy fisher


Comments

1 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.

John Peach
6 October, 2008 21:44 [ 1 ]

How can the majority?? view of 43 out of a membership of 1800 of ETA of NSW be taken as an authorative statement of ETA Policy? What a hide to publish this view! The wisest thing for almost the entire membership of ETA is to move for the deregistration of these 22 odd members for falsly claiming such authority and bringing ETA into conflict with plain common sense and the plain results of recent full review that show the fall in literacy level and reading proficiency is the lowest for decades. This inane guff has exposed all genuine English teachers to ridicule at a time when school curriculums throughout Australia are under severe question because of bad results. Perhaps these 22 to 43 English teachers have influenced this? The ability to read and understand is the fulcrum of learning, and also the ability to be authors. Are these 22-43 so-called teachers implying that Australian Authors (thankfully educated prior to these twits arriving) now proclaiming that we are illiterate? This is discraceful and insulting but above all a betrayal of today's youth and of the honourable profession they claim to represent. SHAME on them. John Peach

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