Staff Profile – Fay Lancman, EAL Learning Area Coordinator

Tell us why you accepted the role of EAL Learning Area Coordinator at Kilvington?

Teaching EAL and English have been my passion for over 30 years. Coming from a migrant background, I know firsthand the importance of being able communicate in fluent English. It has also been my honour as the VCE EAL teacher over the past 11 years to play a part in our hardworking and motivated VCE EAL students gaining prized places at Melbourne and Monash University.

Have you held a similar position to this before, or is this the first time for you?

I have held a similar position at Mount Scopus College as a senior English and ESL teacher.

What do you think is the most important part of the role you do?

I see my primary role as supporting and advocating for all EAL students at Kilvington Grammar. Our school is inclusive and welcoming to all our students. 

How important is it for young people to spend time experiencing and learning in other cultures, and why?

Learning about and experiencing other cultures is not only exciting but also fosters a sense of wonder about the world. We are a global community that flourishes when we forge meaningful connections and friendships, which continually enrich our lives.

I firmly believe that nurturing empathy for others is essential in shaping our precious students into well-rounded adults who are dedicated to a profound and meaningful exploration of the history, society and values of other countries.

What are the most challenging aspects of the role?

The most challenging aspect of the role lies in the expectations to secure a study score of 30 for our Year 12 EAL students, enabling them to earn a place at university. In addition, some EAL students find learning English vocabulary, spelling and grammar very challenging, therefore, my key role is to teach fluency in speaking, writing and comprehending English for academic purposes.  

If you haven’t answered this already, what are the goals you hope to achieve by doing this role. 

My goal to support every EAL student at Kilvington Grammar to experience academic and personal success by working to the best of their ability guided by their caring subject teachers. 

If you could live anywhere else other than Australia, where would it be and why? 

The Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York, in a beautiful brownstone, experiencing the vast array of cultural activities that are on offer in New York.