The Smolicz Languages Education Travel Award

Establishment

This award has been established by the Centre for Intercultural Studies and Multicultural Education (CISME), which operated as a University of Adelaide centre, situated in the School of Education, Faculty of the Professions, over the years 1989 to 2006.  It is given in honour of the Professor of Education who established CISME and was its only Director.  The Board and members of CISME decided to use the funds remaining when CISME closed, to establish an award in Professor Smolicz’s name.  Individual CISME members have contributed additional funds specifically for this purpose, and both the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and the Executive Dean of the Faculty of the Professions have provided further grants.

Theaward is intended to provide partial support for students undertaking a program of study in education, in the curriculum area of languages, to enable them to travel overseas (or within Australia, in the case of indigenous languages), with the aim of enhancing their knowledge and subsequent teaching of a language other than English.

A sum of approximately $46,000 shall be placed in the University of Adelaide’s  Composite Fund and the amount from the interest shall be used to make one award available each year to the value of approximately $2,000, depending on available monies.

Eligibility

This award is open to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia and undertaking a Bachelor of Teaching or a Graduate Diploma in Education program of full-time or part-time study at the University of Adelaide.  In particular, they must be currently enrolled in, or have previously completed, a course in Languages Curriculum & Methodology.  Students must be enrolled on the census dates (usually 31 March and 31 August each year) to be eligible for the award.

Students must provide an outline of what they hope to achieve with the help of theaward; a travel itinerary of planned visits; and a rationale  for their proposed activities.

Ongoing Conditions of Award

The award will provide assistance with costs for travel to the country/region of origin of the recipient’s teaching language, usually in the vacation following the completion of education studies.

Satisfactory academic progress for the purpose of this award means completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Teaching or Graduate Diploma in Education at least at pass level.

The award must be taken up within twelve months from the time that it is offered; acceptance of the award cannot be deferred beyond this time.  If a student declines theaward, it will be offered to the next eligible student.

Students must agree to accept the terms and conditions of the award and agree to provide personal information relevant to assessing  their eligibility for the award.

The award winner will be expected to attend the presentation of the award and required to provide a brief report on the travel and visits undertaken to the Head of Education and the Lecturer in charge of Languages Curriculum and Methodology.

Value

The award will provide a sum of $2,000, payable in one amount direct to the student, following confirmation of the student’s completion of educational studies.

Administration of the Award

The award will be administered by the School of Education.  The award will be advertised on the University’s website at the beginning of the academic year and within theSchool of Education.  Students will need  to complete an application form for the award and provide associated supporting documentation regarding their academic achievement, as well as an outline of their proposed travel and activities.

Applications will be assessed in August /September each year by a selection panel from the School of Education, made up preferably of the Lecturer in charge of Languages Curriculum & Methodology, the Teaching Practice Co-ordinator and the Head of Education or his nominee.  Selection will be based primarily on the Teaching Practice Reports received by the School of Education for the First Teaching Practice, but achievement in assignments for Languages Curriculum & Methodology up to that date may also be taken into account.

Students will be advised in writing of the outcome of their applications.  The Head of Education and the Lecturer in charge of Languages Curriculum & Methodology will receive the final report from the award winner at the completion of the travel period.

Termination

The award will be terminated where a student:

• ceases to be enrolled in the relevant program of study at the University;
• has provided false or misleading information with regard to his/her award application;
• is guilty of serious misconduct in terms of the University Policy Rules for Student Conduct in the University.