SOLL Event: Academic English 1 Movie Night
Valeria Morelli
On the 18th of May, students from ESLA10003 Academic English 1 attended a movie night and watched the iconic Australian movie Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002). Valeria had the pleasure to attend this event and listen to the insightful discussion that followed the screening.
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Academic English 1 is a credit-bearing English as a Second Language subject (part of the SOLL ESL Program) that is specifically designed to help international students across university develop their academic language proficiency. In semester 1, the course was coordinated by Dr Giuseppe D’Orazzi, Lecturer in ESL and Applied Linguistics in the School of Languages and Linguistics.
As Giuseppe explains, “Academic English 1 exposes newly arrived international students to the academic life in Australia. Topics pertaining to academic writing, presentation skills and cultural understanding are covered in class to scaffold non-native English-speaking students to successfully complete their studies in an English-speaking country. Australian history and multiculturalism appear to intrigue students’ curiosity. Therefore, lectures and tutorial resources often address such topics. Particular attention has been given to historical events such as the repercussions of the Stolen Generations policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people communities, for instance, intergenerational trauma.”
In week 11, Giuseppe organised a movie night and invited students to watch together Rabbit-Proof Fence, a 2002 Australian film directed by Phillip Noyce. At the end of the movie, a thought-provoking and fascinating discussion animated the students, who could delve into some of the topics that had been presented in the lectures, such as the child removal policy and the suffering of the Stolen Generations.
Students appreciated the opportunity to examine the topic from a new perspective, after having explored relevant literature throughout the semester, and they felt a stronger emotional connection to the history of the Stolen Generations. Images of how Aboriginal communities suffered and resisted carried a powerful message and enabled them to relate to the topic more personally. Giuseppe underlined the importance of learning from the past to shape our future actions accordingly. In particular, students were fascinated by the portrayal of the strong and deep connection between Aboriginal communities and the country and by their spiritual respect for nature and every creature.
Moreover, the class discussed the attempt to force Aboriginal communities to adapt to a foreign society and culture and the underlying intentions of these actions. Examining nuns’ involvement in the Moore River Native Settlement, the class discussed whether their actions could be considered to be a genuine intention to help Aboriginal children. Giuseppe explained the controversial aspect of the topic and emphasised the importance of approaching the subject holistically to try to investigate the different factors and the multifaceted dynamics involved, which is the core of critical thinking.
Giuseppe is proud of how the critical thinking skills of the class have developed: “The depth with which this movie was analysed demonstrated the development of students’ critical thinking and engagement with the subject content. This event shows how important it is for international students across the University of Melbourne programs to attend Academic English 1 to be introduced to Australian academic life.”