The CALD program

Recognising and working with Cultural And Linguistic Diversity (CALD)

View meeting times for Semester 2, 2011

"Well recommended and a vital help if you are new to Australia"

Sydney Nursing School has responded to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the student population enrolled in the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) (MN(GE)) by conducting a program called CALD. It is a supportive endeavour and attendance is voluntary. It is for ALL students who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD). This program, now in its fourth year, is extended to Combined Degree students.

Students do NOT have to come from non-English speaking backgrounds. The cultural difference is also very important – for example a number of students from the USA has attended CALD sessions. The CALD program provides a supportive environment and students are encouraged to be open through sharing and helping one another reach a common goal – to complete their degrees and become eligible to apply for registration as nurses.

Aims of the CALD program

• assist students to adapt to the learning environment
• provide support and encourage the forming of informal learning circles
• provide students with a place to form a social network
• enable participants to gain understanding of the different cultures and how they manage illness, and to explore the different ways of learning
• provide academic support in terms of writing, referencing, feedback from assessments, and preparation for examinations
• provide some practical advice and preparation for clinical placement
• provide students with a place to form a social network.

Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation

The CALD program is led by Associate Professor Maureen Boughton. In 2009, the CALD program was acknowledged for its excellence. Associate Professor Maureen Boughton, Lynne Brown and Lesley Halliday were presented with a prestigious award for learning and teaching.

Their work with our students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including the many international students we attract to our programs, was recognised with the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. This program has been well evaluated by students and has attracted two TIES grants. The qualitative evaluation of outcomes for this program was published in 2010.

Download the article in PDF format
Read the online version of the article

CALD program sessions

The program commences with a 1-hour workshop throughout the semester in Weeks 4, 6, 8 10 and 12. The sessions are usually during lunchtime when most students are free to come.

Meeting times for Semester 2, 2011

Meetings are open to ALL Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) students and ALL Combined Degree students, who are from culturally and/or linguistically different backgrounds.
Students DO NOT have to come from non-English speaking backgrounds to attend.

Be part of the CALD program

For more information contact Dr Fung Kuen (Tebbin) Koo
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