User:Bernard l







Profile
  

Who am I?
My name's Bernard Lewis and I come form a long line of teachers, so I ended up being one myself. I've been teaching English Language and Literature for more than two decades. Now, I'm a Career/Employment counselor with NAVITAS English, Sydney and assist adult migrants and refugees with settlement needs like Literacy and Numeracy, Computing, Employability and Jobsearch skills.

  

My background
I was born in a small town called Tiruchirappalli which was part of a British colony in South India. I relate back to British and Portuguese ancestry and my wife has a wee bit of French heritage, but being born and brought up in suburban India, I'm very much Indian. Most of my family and many of my friends migrating to Australia and other Commonwealth countries from the 1960s onwards. I soon followed suit and have now settled in a suburb within the jurisdiction of Sydney in Australia.

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My youth
<font color="#151b8d">Most of my youth I enjoyed with the minority Anglo-Indian community in India and my attitude to life was very Western oriented. Like many of my friends I was a devout Christian, loved playing sport and music, learned ballroom dancing and celebrated life to the fullest. But as I grew up, reality hit me hard on the head and I started my mission of assimilating with the mainstream Indians. I turned my focus to education and completed a Bachelors in English. I wanted to become a journalist, but an opportunity to teach English came up, so I joined the noble profession and have no regrets whatsoever, till date.

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My early career
<font color="#151B8D">After completing my Masters in English, I was offered the position as a lecturer in The American College, Madurai. After a couple of years, I was associated with American Studies Research Centre, Hyderabad and went on to complete a PhD in English Language &amp; Literature, specializing in African American Studies. I was also greatly influenced by the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad and British Council's Communicative English propaganda. Having done a PG Diploma in Teaching English I was involved in pioneering ELT courses for teachers offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University.

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In Australia
<font color="#151B8D">After migrating to Australia, I have been teaching English Literacy and Numeracy to adult migrants and refugees in Sydney. Now I train them in computing and work skills. I am Career/Employment Counselor and enjoy working with mature aged students researching pathways and assisting them in their endeavour towards settling down in Australia. I have been working in ACL, Sydney for nearly nine years and have been involved in many things which include conducting and participating in research; training students in IT and Jobsearch skills; and training and conducting professional development for teachers in ICT.

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My Interests
<font color="#151B8D">I have a penchant for creativity and innovation. I love doing new things and consider myself a fairly quick learner. I also have a passion for academic research and using technology in education. Having been a Grade I hockey player in my heydays, I still love sport. In fact, I'm a recognized cricket coach with Cricket NSW. I have an avid interest in for creative writing, photography, music and I spice my life with a fair bit of bike riding and traveling to fulfill the spirit of adventure in me.

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My Dreams
<font color="#151B8D">Having a keen interest in ICT, I'd surely like to get something up and running online. I'd also like to have a shy at teaching English Literature again. Being in Australia, I have a leaning towards local Aboriginal writing, am eager to continue reading their literature and may give it a try. I'd also like to caravan around the wide expanse of Australia sometime.

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My involvement in WE
<font color="#151B8D">I share the same ideals of education and learning as WE and so decided to get involved. I'd like to start something small, now and later develop better ideas and get involved to a greater extent. I'd like to set something up on Developing Employability skills and Work readiness for students and teachers in NSW, Australia. At a later stage I'd perhaps get involved in LEO and any other TESOL programmes offered by WE. My ultimate goal is to do something in the field of my specialization - African American Literature and maybe Australian Aboriginal Literature, too. <font color="#FF0000">--Bernard Lewis 08:55, 21 December 2009 (UTC)

<font color="#151B8D"><font color="#FF0000">  <font color="#151B8D"><font color="#FF0000"> <font color="#151B8D"><font color="#FF0000"> --Bernard Lewis 13:07, 22 December 2009 (UTC)

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What's WikiEducator?
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Wiki Neighbours
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 * Randy
 * Nellie
 * Phil
 * Gladys

Feedback From my Wiki Neighbours
<font color="#151B8D"><font color="#151B8D"><font color="#FF0000"><font color="#FF0000"><font color="#FF0000"><font color="#151B8D">I looked at your page and like it. You are generous with your information, and that is attractive. Nellie is right, your photo is needed. Good to see your work. --Phil Bartle 13:14, 22 December 2009 (UTC)      <font color="#151B8D"><font color="#151B8D"><font color="#FF0000"><font color="#FF0000"><font color="#FF0000"><font color="#151B8D">