Voices of Chasing Asylum - Reflective Voices

Australian Curriculum 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:

• Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia OI.8
• Sustainability OI.5

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.

• 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

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• Critical thinking
• Community engagement
• Cultural understanding
• Empathy
• Global citizenship

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.