Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students examine issues associated with people seeking asylum and offshore detention policies by studying reflective voices, and how personal experience is communicated through reflective language. Using a variety of thinking and analytical tools, students refine their knowledge and skills by evaluating the reflective, emotive and personal language in text and enhance their understanding of the power of language.
Chasing Asylum exposes the real impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies through the personal accounts of people seeking asylum and whistleblowers who tried to work within the system. To watch the documentary, stream it on Kanopy and Clickview or purchase the DVD at the ATOM Education Shop.
Learning Intentions:
- Students will understand the multi-faceted nature of reflective texts and how purpose and context influences language choices in texts.
- Students will be able to evaluate the use of language to construct meaning in reflective texts and influence audiences.
- Students will be able to analyse and make evaluative judgements about the effectiveness of reflective texts in positioning audiences.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 11 English
Compare texts in a variety of contexts, mediums and modes by:
- explaining the relationship between purpose and context (ACEEN021)
Analyse and evaluate how and why responses to texts vary through:
- the impact of language and structural choices on shaping own and others’ perspectives (ACEEN028)
- the interplay between imaginative, persuasive and interpretive techniques, for example, how anecdotes are used in speeches to amuse, inform or influence, or the use of characterisation in advertising (ACEEN030)
Reflect on their own and others’ texts by:
- evaluating the effectiveness of texts in representing ideas, attitudes and voices (ACEEN039)
- by explaining how and why texts position readers and viewers (ACEEN040)
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding.
Cross-curriculum priority:
Topic: Social Issues.
Unit of work: Voices of Chasing Asylum – access the unit overview here.
Time required: 120 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: High – facilitate class discussion and assess student work.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Device capable of presenting a website to the class. Highlighters for annotation of transcript/printed material. Reflective Texts Factsheet. Tan Le – Background information and talk transcript.
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Keywords: Asylum, refugee, perspectives, advocacy, reflection, journey, identity, language.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation