March PD Update
I’m excited to share that the PD Fest season is underway, with events running across the country from March to June – a fantastic opportunity for ELICOS teachers and leaders to connect, share ideas, and take practical learning back to the classroom.
Over the coming months, English Australia is offering a range of professional learning opportunities; from hands-on workshops with Duolingo to webinars on Reading Lessons and Exploiting Course Resources. Take a look at what’s on offer, register for an event, and consider sharing your own insights with the sector at a PD Fest.
I hope to see you at an event soon!
Sophie O’Keefe
General Manager-Operations, English Australia
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Making intensive reading work: Practical strategies for the English language classroom
Wednesday 11 March 2026, 3.00pm-4.00pm (AEDT)
This practical webinar explores how teachers can strengthen reading skills and deepen comprehension by getting more value from the lessons they already teach.
Webinar: Exploiting learning resources
Wednesday 8 April 2026, 2.00pm-3.00pm (AEST)
This webinar explores how teachers can identify the real-world communicative purpose of a single resource and use it to design meaningful tasks for skills and language development.
Live events: Duolingo masterclasses in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
28 & 29 April & 1 May 2026 from 10.00am to 4.30pm (AEST)
Join us for an energizing, in-person experience, where we’ll reimagine the future of digital assessment. Discover next-generation security innovations, and explore cutting-edge test design that focuses on accessibility and user experience.
Webinar: Teaching with what’s real – Australian content, and practical ELICOS materials
Tuesday 12 May 2026, 2.00pm-3.00pm (AEST)
This interactive webinar focuses on practical strategies for designing authentic and engaging ELICOS teaching materials using Australian content, existing textbooks, and digital tools such as artificial intelligence.
PD Fests
The English Australia state PD Fests are happening from March to June, with QLD PD Fest launching the program on 21 March.
PD Fests are a highlight of the professional learning calendar, bringing together ELICOS teachers and academic leaders for practical, hands-on sessions and valuable networking.
Register now for a PD Fest in your city and gain fresh ideas to take back to your classroom.
The call for abstracts is also now open for all PD Fests (with the exception of QLD PD Fest). PD Fests are known for dynamic, teacher-led sessions — created by teachers, for teachers. If you have a strategy, innovation, or insight to share, we encourage you to submit an abstract and get involved.
To register or submit an abstract, head to the links below.
QLD PD Fest – 21 March, UQ College
SA PD Fest – 2 May, Greenwich College
PD West – 9 May, Curtin University (hosted by Curtin English)
NSW PD Fest – 23 May, Macquarie University College
VIC PD Fest –20 June, Hawthorn Melbourne
With thanks to our generous PD Fest sponsors:
Advance your leadership capability in language teaching – IDLTM starts 9 March
Looking to strengthen your leadership capability in language education?
The International Diploma in Language Teaching Management (IDLTM) is designed for experienced professionals working in language teaching contexts who want to deepen their understanding of management theory and apply it directly to their work as language teaching managers.
The course supports participants to extend their knowledge of key management principles, develop practical leadership skills, and demonstrate these skills effectively within their own work contexts.
The next IDLTM course begins on 9 March and runs for eight months. Delivered online, the program combines live, interactive Zoom sessions with asynchronous learning and discussion via Blackboard, and is supported by UQ College.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your professional journey, further information and the application form are available at www.idltm.org.
Compliance is everyone’s responsibility – Are you confident in yours?
Can you answer these questions about compliance in ELICOS?
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What is TEQSA and ASQA and how do they differ?
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Can you list the nine areas covered by the ELICOS Standards?
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What does CRICOS stand for, and what does it mean if an institution is CRICOS registered?
Compliance underpins the integrity and quality of the ELICOS sector — and it’s everyone’s responsibility. If you’re not sure about the answers to the questions above, you might consider enrolling in English Australia’s Introduction to Compliance in ELICOS course.
The course is designed to give clear, practical answers to questions like these, and it provides sector-specific guidance to help ELICOS professionals understand how compliance requirements apply in everyday work. Delivered online, it allows you to learn at your own pace while connecting learning to real-world practice.
You can read more about the course and register by clicking on the button below.
