Testimonials

Ali is a skilled presenter who delivers dynamic, evidence-based professional learning for teachers of all languages. She combines language acquisition theory with her knowledge of local and international curricula to deliver tailored professional learning to schools, faculties and teachers. She is a regular presenter both at home and abroad and has assisted hundreds of teachers to improve their students’ learning outcomes via her extensive knowledge of languages pedagogy and curriculum design. 

Dr Gianfranco Conti 

CPD provider/ consultant 

Founder and Owner of The Language Gym 

Alison's PD session on assessment task design was highly effective. She adeptly navigated through practical ideas and challenges with a nuanced understanding of assessment design principles. Her approachable demeanour and evident expertise allowed her to tailor the session seamlessly to our needs, delving into the intricacies of assessing complex content and outcomes from Stage 4 to Stage 6 syllabuses. Alison's skilful facilitation and flexibility make her a valuable asset in professional development settings.

Regine Berghofer

Director of Languages

International Grammar School

Ali explained the newest AI tools for languages in a very collaborative and illustrative way. The comprehensive, step-by-step nature of the PPT and handout summary sheet provided to everyone, was extremely valued by everyone.

Ann Giannantonio

Head of Languages

Ravenswood School for Girls

Alison approached this PL with warmth and encouragement. I was grateful for her calm reassurance and positivity, which in turn helped our team to feel optimistic about the task ahead. Alison has extensive experience with the new syllabus, together with current leadership in Languages, so she understands the task at hand. My hope was to gain a deeper understanding of the rationale and outcomes, and this was delivered thoughtfully and with helpful activities. Alison answered our questions with patience and kindness.

Melinda Rundle

Head of Languages

Roseville College

I highly recommend this workshop to language teachers. The approach was clear and easy to understand. The supporting materials provided a wealth of resources for ongoing learning. The relaxed atmosphere fostered open discussions and a comfortable environment. A valuable workshop. Sheila Ibarra

Head of Languages

Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta

Thank you for your role in the curriculum review process. I have just completed the sign off on the Languages report and want to thank you for your detailed and precise feedback.
The report is very well done! 

Thank you, Alison, your time and expertise is very much appreciated.

Rose-Marie van Raad

Head: Learning, Teaching and Wellbeing

Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst

Alison is a knowledgeable and engaging presenter who has expertise in a range of teaching and learning areas. Her approach to learning design is innovative and effective. I would highly recommend Alison's work to all educators.

Raelene Maxworthy

Director of Teaching and Learning

Calrossy Anglican School

 Alison is a passionate languages educator who draws on her considerable classroom and leadership experience to provide professional learning support to teachers and schools that is targeted, contextual and evidence-based. The professional learning programs that she has designed and delivered are innovative, engaging and have been evaluated highly by participants.

Merryl Wahlin

Deputy Director

Sydney Institute for Community Languages Education (SICLE)

Sydney School of Education and Social Work

THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY 

The content of the workshop was clear and well-organised and therefore easily followed. The resources were generous and will prevent us from beginning from scratch. The workshop was very helpful and worthwhile.

Margaret Gray-Weale 

Head of Languages

St Clare's College, Waverly

The energy, knowledge and detail Alison provides are invaluable. My team and I now know what is needed to implement the new languages syllabus. Better still we know how to do that efficiently due to Alison's unparalleled generosity and insight.

Merci Ali. 

Tracey Ellem

Head of Languages

St Luke's, Dee Why

Alison is so knowledgeable and explains content and topics efficiently in an interactive and relaxed manner. Questions and professional discussion are always welcomed by Alison. Angélique Deleeuw

Head of Languages

SCEGGS Darlinghurst

I recommend this course to language teachers looking to extend their knowledge and skills around AI. Alison's expert choice of resources and the hands-on approach offered plenty of opportunities to experiment with useful sample prompts for different purposes. Practical and fun!

Martin Koester

NSW School of Languages

The most practical-orientated PD done by myself on this area of syllabus change. Other PD sessions presented big-picture 'whys' and 'whats',  but very little 'hows'. Thanks for filling in the vital 'hows'. 

Martyn Jacka

Southern Cross School of Distance Education

Alison Dean is a fantastic presenter and so knowledgeable.

The most valuable thing I took from a PL on the new Modern Languages Syllabus was how in-depth and proactively she approached the PL and her expert sequencing of information to allow for deep understanding. I now feel confident to discuss the content of the PL with my faculty and can easily apply my learning! 

She also is so approachable and very clear in her presentation. I can’t wait to attend another PL by Alison again, such an effective use of PL time!

Georgia Slager

St Augustine's College

Ali's expertise is second to none, in addition to this her passion and dedication to languages is incredible and her knowledge of the new framework as well as her impressive ideas and examples of tasks are invaluable! I highly recommend Ali's services!

Isabella Falconi

Arndell Anglican College

Assessment and Task Design in Languages was a worthwhile professional development. Alison Dean is knowledgeable in her field. I can highly recommend this course .

Alan Blake

Macarthur Anglican School

This professional learning experience has significantly improved my understanding of AI integration in LOTE education. Any beginning LOTE teacher who takes this course would be setting themselves up to be a responsive, dynamic educator.

Lachlan Bryan

Chifley College Mount Druitt Campus

 I valued Alison's excellent preparation. The resources were provided beforehand which made navigating the material as it was being delivered very easy. Additionally, the resources were relevant, incredibly useful and meant that there were so many take-aways from this PL event.

I also valued the way in which Alison delivered this PL. The pace was perfect and allowed us not only to pose questions as they arose, but also to be able to fully engage with the course at all times.

Kathryn Tamminga

SCEGGS Darlinghurst

  Alison has been a member of the Experienced Teacher assessment panel during her time as a consultant at AISNSW. 

Alison has a deep knowledge of the Experienced Teacher descriptors and how these can be demonstrated. She is able to determine whether applicants meet the requirements for Experienced Teacher accreditation. I have sought Alison’s advice on several occasions on submissions from Language applicants, and she has always been obliging in assessing and reviewing evidence outside school hours.

Alison has mentored teachers applying for accreditation and in this context she has used her experience to support applicants to achieve success.

Estelle Lewis

Former Head of Accreditation at the Association of Independent Schools

In Ali Dean's valuable presentation, her profound expertise shone brightly as she effortlessly guided the audience through the understanding and implementation of the new Modern Languages K-10 Syllabus into existing programs. Her straightforward and grounded approach made the complex concepts simple and easily digestible. The follow-up activities she proposed were both intriguing and practical, leaving the attendees excited and empowered to embrace the new syllabus with enthusiasm.

Shelley Xie

Pymble Ladies' College

  This workshop surpassed my expectations, with Alison’s wonderfully practical suggestions and guidance still playing in my head some months after the two-day course. One of the best teaching workshops I have ever attended. 

Raija Chapman

The Armidale School

Very helpful course. Ali explained the syllabus using practical examples that we could apply in our classroom. She responded to each one of our questions and led a very productive session. 

Juliette Bates

Randwick Girls High School

The workshop with the students gave them the confidence they needed to tackle the HSC speaking exams. The students and I all took copious notes and felt like Ali lifted the lid on what is required and provided wonderful resources to go through in preparation for these exams. Her warmth and skills helped Ali immediately establish rapport with the students which is necessary for them to open up and showcase their best language skills. I can't praise this workshop highly enough- Gold class!

Gemma McWhirter 

Head of Languages Shire Christian School

Really useful PD session, delivered in a clear and informative way. So many useful and practical 'take-aways' - will definitely be attending another one.

Elspeth Standen 

Newcastle Grammar School

This will be one of the best PD workshops you can book for your language teachers. The presentations are highly relevant, engaging - and many practical tips are offered, which can be put into practice immediately. Ali's background as a linguist and language teacher/leader makes her PD sessions all the more relevant to language teachers who are navigating the new world of AI, which is developing at such a rapid rate but offers incredible opportunities for teachers and their students.

Fiona Stahl-Friend

Ravenswood School for Girls

Alison is highly experienced in the field and the information that she has provided is so powerful, which would definitely help me innovate my planning, teaching and assessing practices. Highly recommended!

Jiayong Meng

Muswellbrook High School

The workshop was really engaging and I found the content really beneficial for me to incorporate into my lessons. Thank you a lot Alison! Your workshop is amazing.

Stephen Gu

International Grammar School

Alison's workshops are so helpful and practical. You can immediately see the practical application of what she delivers in the workshop and you have time to play around and create resources within the workshop itself. She is so knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you!

Chloe Hardwick Jones

SCEGGS Darlinghurst

Alison's knowledge of the Languages syllabus made breaking down the material easy. What I appreciate most is her approachable communication style; she creates an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. Her genuine passion is obvious in her interactions.

Anthony Gaias

Holy Trinity School Inverell

Alison's PL on AI was very professional and it was clear that she has a wide range of knowledge on how to use AI to improve student learning outcome but also to decrease workloads for teachers. I highly recommend her sessions. 

Emily Erwin

Fintona Girls' School

The Leveraging AI workshop was a great opportunity to share and network, as well as learn about the most up to date AI tools while being guided by an expert educator who is clearly passionate about language teaching and learning. Ruth Benfield

Monte Sant Angelo College

I found Alison's presentation on Assessment and Task Design in Languages to be incredibly informative and valuable. It offered creative strategies to deepen linguistic understanding and engage students effectively—highly recommended for any educator looking to enhance language teaching

Anthony Prestifilippo

St Vincents College Ashfield

The PD provided by Alison gave me an even clearer understanding of the new syllabus. She provided me a new insight in the area of assessment and  the development of assessment tasks. Unpacks everything clearly and in a way that is so easy to understand. Highly recommended.

Lisa Strazzeri

Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield

Alison has excellent knowledge of the whole teaching cycle. This is backed up with excellent teaching experience, AIS experience and NESA experience. It was great to hear all she shared.

Adelie Badman

Head of Languages

Arden Anglican School

Alison really knows her stuff. I felt confident that she was providing me and my peers with resources and information that were valuable, accurate, and going to be of immediate use.

Kathryn O'Sullivan

McCarthy Catholic College

This course was so helpful for getting my head around the new, Modern K-10 Languages syllabus. She provides excellent opportunities to network and goes through resources that are very helpful for my planning. Arigatou gozaimashita.

Rebecca Godfrey

Domremy College