English language competence is central to the employment prospects of migrant professionals. Howe... more English language competence is central to the employment prospects of migrant professionals. However, until recently, the testing procedures used by professional associations and the Australian Government have been poorly designed and poorly implemented. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s
To explore Melbourne Dental School students and graduates' self-assessed ... more To explore Melbourne Dental School students and graduates' self-assessed levels of competence and skill regarding cultural issues which emerge in dental treatment, and their perceptions of the dental curriculum in addressing socio-cultural issues. Information was derived from a 59-item questionnaire consisting of three parts: socio-demographic; self-assessed level of culture competency within the clinical encounter; and cultural aspects in the dental curriculum. Data was collected from undergraduate dental students enrolled in the fourth year of 2006 and 2007 and fifth year of 2006 and from dentists who graduated in 2002 and 2003. A total of 133 students and 37 dentists took part in the survey. Response rates were 68.9% among students and 92.6% among dentists. The majority (students: 90.2%; graduates: 62.1%) indicated 'Very often'/'Always' treating patients from different cultural backgrounds. Distribution of competencies showed that participants felt fairly competent in communicating and establishing rapport, but less competent in dealing with patients' cultural practices, and patients' family involvement. The majority (students: 72.1%; graduates: 59.7%) perceived the coverage of socio-cultural aspects in the course as not adequate. Around 40% of participants indicated that inclusion of socio-cultural awareness in the dental curriculum was important or very important. Although there were some significant differences in participants' reports, they generally self-reported having good competency and skill in providing care to patients from different cultural backgrounds. Further exploration of these issues would enhance the future dental workforce's quality of care, professionalism and capacity for cultural competence.
Australia has the highest proportion of immigrants in the world (24% of the population is oversea... more Australia has the highest proportion of immigrants in the world (24% of the population is overseas-born, compared to 22% in New Zealand, 19% in Canada and 12% in the USA). In this context, dental students have become increasingly diverse in a milieu where patients are derived from increasingly diverse backgrounds. The study aims to analyse the degree to which transcultural and communication skills content is currently embedded in the medical, physiotherapy and dental curricula at a major Australian university. Undergraduate dental, medical and physiotherapy curricula were compared and critically assessed. Researchers considered the amount of transcultural and communication skills content, the number of formal contact hours for each course and the number of teaching staff involved. In addition, 21 interviews were conducted with staff at the three schools, who were involved in the curriculum development process. The medical and physiotherapy curricula had an explicit focus on transcultural and communication skills as a major and continuing element, delivered by teaching staff from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. In contrast, the dental course showed an under-representation of transcultural and communication skills content which was taught by a limited number of staff from the School of Dental Science. In marked contrast to medical and physiotherapy curricula, transcultural and communication skills content had a low formal profile in the dental curriculum. A curriculum review process may be a positive step towards the development of a new training curriculum giving higher priority to transcultural and communication skills to support more effective workforce development.
1. The Australian Immigration Context1.1 The Immigration Context - Federal and State RolesAustral... more 1. The Australian Immigration Context1.1 The Immigration Context - Federal and State RolesAustralia is a global exemplar of nation-building through government planned and administered skilled, family and humanitarian migration programs. By 2006 it had the world’s highest percentage of foreign-born (24%, with 44% of Australians either immigrants or the children of immigrants), followed by New Zealand (23%), Canada (20%) and the United States (11%). Population growth has continued unabated since. By 2011 26% of the population was overseas-born, fuelled by net annual gains of up to 400,000 people. Australia’s migration target for 2014-2015 was set at 218,000 permanent residents (spanning migrants and refugees). In addition to these arrivals, the government admitted large numbers of long-stay temporary migrants – many of whom are likely to category-switch and stay. By 2014-15 Australia operated five key immigration pathways:Skilled: Two-thirds of permanent places were allocated to skill...
Migrants have made a major contribution to Australia's professionally-qualified workforce. Th... more Migrants have made a major contribution to Australia's professionally-qualified workforce. Those arriving pre-1980s and early 1980s have largely been able to convert their qualifications into professional level employment. However, later arriving migrants have been far less successful. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s
Stricter controls following the introduction of mandatory English testing of skilled migrants in ... more Stricter controls following the introduction of mandatory English testing of skilled migrants in 1992 have raised important policy issues in Australia. As this chapter explains, there are four major policy issues. The first is 'the politicisation of English' - the use of testing as a significant means of controlling the numbers of Australia's skilled migration program. The second issue concerns access and equity. Pre-migration fees to cover language testing, and the possible cost of subsequent Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) fees, $2040 per applicant, could constitute a major barrier for less affluent ethnic groups. The third issue is that this testing may influence the type of skills imported to Australia in the future. The fourth issue is that the delivery of the test needs to be monitored to ensure that the test continues to meet international standards.
Antecedentes: Aunque algunas enfermeras emigran a paises de destino para trabajar como trabajador... more Antecedentes: Aunque algunas enfermeras emigran a paises de destino para trabajar como trabajadores domesticos, se sabe poco sobre sus motivaciones migratorias. Objetivo: Este estudio analiza las motivaciones de enfermeras formadas en Filipinas que emigraron a Canada mediante el Programa de Cuidadores Domesticos de 2001 a 2011 (un programa canadiense para trabajadores domesticos). Metodos: Un estudio de caso unico utilizando la metodologia cualitativa y el concepto feminista transnacional de cadenas mundiales de atencion se utilizaron para este estudio. Se realizaron entrevistas a 15 enfermeras formadas en Filipinas que emigraron a Canada como trabajadoras domesticas en la provincia de Ontario, Canada, entre febrero y octubre de 2012. Todas las participantes tenian un titulo de grado de Filipinas. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas textualmente y analizadas mediante analisis critico del discurso, utilizandose el software de analisis de datos NVIVO 10. Resultados: Los resul...
Australian Review of Applied Linguistics. Series S, 1996
The past decade in Australia has been characterised by a striking growth in the application of la... more The past decade in Australia has been characterised by a striking growth in the application of language testing, frequently in contexts governed by macro-political pressures. Despite this, the literature to date has rarely placed its first emphasis on the pragmatic considerations which typically give rise to test development, and impact on test design as well as administration outcomes. To illustrate the significance of this, this chapter explores the recent pressures surrounding the evolution and implementation of the Special Test of English Proficiency (step test) – a form of ESL testing designed not merely to assess linguistic competence, but to play a central role in the determination of residential status for substantial numbers of asylum seekers.
Striking demographic shifts are underway in developed nations, where fertility decline is fuellin... more Striking demographic shifts are underway in developed nations, where fertility decline is fuelling competition for high-skilled migrants. According to the Chief Economist of the OECD, ‘Over the next couple of decades nothing will impact on (member) economies more profoundly than demographic trends and, chief among them, ageing’. Within a generation, select OECD nations are at risk of contracting by a third, with severe productivity implications.
English language competence is central to the employment prospects of migrant professionals. Howe... more English language competence is central to the employment prospects of migrant professionals. However, until recently, the testing procedures used by professional associations and the Australian Government have been poorly designed and poorly implemented. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s
To explore Melbourne Dental School students and graduates' self-assessed ... more To explore Melbourne Dental School students and graduates' self-assessed levels of competence and skill regarding cultural issues which emerge in dental treatment, and their perceptions of the dental curriculum in addressing socio-cultural issues. Information was derived from a 59-item questionnaire consisting of three parts: socio-demographic; self-assessed level of culture competency within the clinical encounter; and cultural aspects in the dental curriculum. Data was collected from undergraduate dental students enrolled in the fourth year of 2006 and 2007 and fifth year of 2006 and from dentists who graduated in 2002 and 2003. A total of 133 students and 37 dentists took part in the survey. Response rates were 68.9% among students and 92.6% among dentists. The majority (students: 90.2%; graduates: 62.1%) indicated 'Very often'/'Always' treating patients from different cultural backgrounds. Distribution of competencies showed that participants felt fairly competent in communicating and establishing rapport, but less competent in dealing with patients' cultural practices, and patients' family involvement. The majority (students: 72.1%; graduates: 59.7%) perceived the coverage of socio-cultural aspects in the course as not adequate. Around 40% of participants indicated that inclusion of socio-cultural awareness in the dental curriculum was important or very important. Although there were some significant differences in participants' reports, they generally self-reported having good competency and skill in providing care to patients from different cultural backgrounds. Further exploration of these issues would enhance the future dental workforce's quality of care, professionalism and capacity for cultural competence.
Australia has the highest proportion of immigrants in the world (24% of the population is oversea... more Australia has the highest proportion of immigrants in the world (24% of the population is overseas-born, compared to 22% in New Zealand, 19% in Canada and 12% in the USA). In this context, dental students have become increasingly diverse in a milieu where patients are derived from increasingly diverse backgrounds. The study aims to analyse the degree to which transcultural and communication skills content is currently embedded in the medical, physiotherapy and dental curricula at a major Australian university. Undergraduate dental, medical and physiotherapy curricula were compared and critically assessed. Researchers considered the amount of transcultural and communication skills content, the number of formal contact hours for each course and the number of teaching staff involved. In addition, 21 interviews were conducted with staff at the three schools, who were involved in the curriculum development process. The medical and physiotherapy curricula had an explicit focus on transcultural and communication skills as a major and continuing element, delivered by teaching staff from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. In contrast, the dental course showed an under-representation of transcultural and communication skills content which was taught by a limited number of staff from the School of Dental Science. In marked contrast to medical and physiotherapy curricula, transcultural and communication skills content had a low formal profile in the dental curriculum. A curriculum review process may be a positive step towards the development of a new training curriculum giving higher priority to transcultural and communication skills to support more effective workforce development.
1. The Australian Immigration Context1.1 The Immigration Context - Federal and State RolesAustral... more 1. The Australian Immigration Context1.1 The Immigration Context - Federal and State RolesAustralia is a global exemplar of nation-building through government planned and administered skilled, family and humanitarian migration programs. By 2006 it had the world’s highest percentage of foreign-born (24%, with 44% of Australians either immigrants or the children of immigrants), followed by New Zealand (23%), Canada (20%) and the United States (11%). Population growth has continued unabated since. By 2011 26% of the population was overseas-born, fuelled by net annual gains of up to 400,000 people. Australia’s migration target for 2014-2015 was set at 218,000 permanent residents (spanning migrants and refugees). In addition to these arrivals, the government admitted large numbers of long-stay temporary migrants – many of whom are likely to category-switch and stay. By 2014-15 Australia operated five key immigration pathways:Skilled: Two-thirds of permanent places were allocated to skill...
Migrants have made a major contribution to Australia's professionally-qualified workforce. Th... more Migrants have made a major contribution to Australia's professionally-qualified workforce. Those arriving pre-1980s and early 1980s have largely been able to convert their qualifications into professional level employment. However, later arriving migrants have been far less successful. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s
Stricter controls following the introduction of mandatory English testing of skilled migrants in ... more Stricter controls following the introduction of mandatory English testing of skilled migrants in 1992 have raised important policy issues in Australia. As this chapter explains, there are four major policy issues. The first is 'the politicisation of English' - the use of testing as a significant means of controlling the numbers of Australia's skilled migration program. The second issue concerns access and equity. Pre-migration fees to cover language testing, and the possible cost of subsequent Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) fees, $2040 per applicant, could constitute a major barrier for less affluent ethnic groups. The third issue is that this testing may influence the type of skills imported to Australia in the future. The fourth issue is that the delivery of the test needs to be monitored to ensure that the test continues to meet international standards.
Antecedentes: Aunque algunas enfermeras emigran a paises de destino para trabajar como trabajador... more Antecedentes: Aunque algunas enfermeras emigran a paises de destino para trabajar como trabajadores domesticos, se sabe poco sobre sus motivaciones migratorias. Objetivo: Este estudio analiza las motivaciones de enfermeras formadas en Filipinas que emigraron a Canada mediante el Programa de Cuidadores Domesticos de 2001 a 2011 (un programa canadiense para trabajadores domesticos). Metodos: Un estudio de caso unico utilizando la metodologia cualitativa y el concepto feminista transnacional de cadenas mundiales de atencion se utilizaron para este estudio. Se realizaron entrevistas a 15 enfermeras formadas en Filipinas que emigraron a Canada como trabajadoras domesticas en la provincia de Ontario, Canada, entre febrero y octubre de 2012. Todas las participantes tenian un titulo de grado de Filipinas. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas textualmente y analizadas mediante analisis critico del discurso, utilizandose el software de analisis de datos NVIVO 10. Resultados: Los resul...
Australian Review of Applied Linguistics. Series S, 1996
The past decade in Australia has been characterised by a striking growth in the application of la... more The past decade in Australia has been characterised by a striking growth in the application of language testing, frequently in contexts governed by macro-political pressures. Despite this, the literature to date has rarely placed its first emphasis on the pragmatic considerations which typically give rise to test development, and impact on test design as well as administration outcomes. To illustrate the significance of this, this chapter explores the recent pressures surrounding the evolution and implementation of the Special Test of English Proficiency (step test) – a form of ESL testing designed not merely to assess linguistic competence, but to play a central role in the determination of residential status for substantial numbers of asylum seekers.
Striking demographic shifts are underway in developed nations, where fertility decline is fuellin... more Striking demographic shifts are underway in developed nations, where fertility decline is fuelling competition for high-skilled migrants. According to the Chief Economist of the OECD, ‘Over the next couple of decades nothing will impact on (member) economies more profoundly than demographic trends and, chief among them, ageing’. Within a generation, select OECD nations are at risk of contracting by a third, with severe productivity implications.
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Papers by Lesleyanne Hawthorne