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On Friday the 22nd of June English and Cultural Studies in conjunction with the Westerly Centre at UWA will host a day of seminars and stimulating discussion for English teachers from around the state. It has been designed to reinvigorate the teaching of English and perhaps spark interest in new areas of study.

The day will consist of the choice of three lecture/seminars and offers the opportunity to network with colleagues over morning tea, lunch and a sundowner. Lectures/seminars will be focused on the themes of "New writing/literary heritage/theory." Sessions will include:

• The local canon – Tim Winton, Craig Silvey and Kim Scott
• Australian literature and postnationalism
• Creative writing
• The phenomenon of Mr Darcy
• Recent directions in literary theory
• New Australian writing

Participants will consider current developments in the subject with academics and post-graduates of the discipline from UWA and Curtin . The aim of this event is to provide teachers with a forum for enquiry into and discussion about a continually developing field of study.

Recent years have been a time of great change for secondary education and teachers of English have often been at the forefront of this change. With the transition to the Curriculum Framework and Course of Study finally completed, their subject is one of the first four being asked to implement the Australian Curriculum. The Discipline of English and Cultural Studies , as well as the Westerly Centre , aims to provide teachers with a point of contact and support to assist them with these current developments. This event will be the beginning of an important dialogue between the secondary and tertiary sector in relation to the teaching of English in WA.

The day will also offer teachers a chance to escape the grind of term two and return to student life for a day in the beautiful surrounds of UWA's Crawley campus. To register visit the Westerly Centre website and download a form .

Media references

Claire Jones