What are the Teaching Emphases or TEEPL?

The Teaching Emphases also known as TEEPL (The Teaching Emphases for English Proficiency Levels ) are a reference point for teachers of ESL learners in Prep to Year 12, seeking ways to improve the participation and learning outcomes of ESL (English as a Second Language) learners in their classes.

The purpose of the Teaching Emphases is to link assessment, teaching and learning in a way that will support learners and provide teachers with practical assistance and strategies.

Reason for term ‘Emphases'

The Teaching Emphases make suggestions for

•  classroom organisation

•  teaching strategies

•  selection of texts

and

•  provide background information related to social, cultural and language learning behaviours - in personal, social and general school contexts as well as in academic contexts.

The Teaching Emphases document is based on the theoretical framework and organisation of the NLLIA ESL Bandscales which provide a map of ESL learner progress across 3 bands, Junior Primary (JP Yrs 1-3), Middle and Upper Primary (MUP Years 4-7) and Secondary (SEC Years 8-12) and seven levels for JP and MUP and eight levels for Secondary.

These suggestions, when applied to classroom organisation and pedagogy in mainstream classrooms, will prove beneficial for all students including those from English language backgrounds.