Biography
Education and teaching have been central to my research and practice for over three decades. As a Senior Lecturer (TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Director of the Master of TESOL (Education) program I provide practical, educational and pedagogically based programming for TESOL, English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) and languages practicum and pedagogy units.
Underlying my emphasis on an integrated and reflective approach to language teaching is my long experience working in schools and universities, a sound knowledge of recent theories and understandings in my field and interactions with students and colleagues. My background in socio-cultural and critical theory and to a social justice approach underpins my teaching in those units as well as for other units for which I designed and am responsible including nternationalising the curriculum and language across the curriculum.
Read more on Ruth's profileBiography summary
Senior Lecturer in Education (TESOL)
Co-Director Centre for Teaching and Learning Languages (CTaLL)
Director Master of TESOL (Education), Graduate Certificate of TESOL (Education)
Research interests
Affiliations
Centre for Teaching and Learning Languages
Research for Educational Impact (REDI)
Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)
American Education Research Association (AERA)
Australian and New Zealand Comparative and International Education Society (ANCZIES)
Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA) Co-editor of TESOL in Context
Teaching interests
My interest in socio-cultural and critical theory and to a social justice approach underpin my strong commitment to teaching practice.
Units taught
ETL 700 Pedagogy for EAL Classrooms
ETL 701 TESOL Method
ETL 706 Reflective Practice in EAL and Languages Classrooms
ETL 715 Internationalising the Curriculum
Knowledge areas
Identity and difference
English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and languages pedagogy and practice
Social justice
Globalisation
International education
Race and multiculturalism
Multicultural and intercultural education
Multilingualism
Social cultural theory
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)
Conferences
Weinmann, M., Kanaizumi, R. & Arber, R. (2018). Navigating language, culture and internationalisation: (Re)Orientating English language education in Japan. Paper presented at Colloquium Language ideologies and practices in Asia: Exploring the global East-West dichotomy, at the Sociolinguistics Symposium 22, University of Auckland, 27–30 June.
Weinmann, M. & Arber. R. (2018). Orientating Multilingualism: Navigating Language teacher identities. Paper presented at Symposium Education for Cultural Diversity: International Perspectives on Changing Policy and Curriculum Engagement, American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, New York, 13–17 April 201
Neilsen, R.P. Weinmann, M., & Arber, R. (2018). Navigating the Languages education policy landscape: traversing the gap between contention and practice. Sociolinguistics Symposium 22, Auckland, New Zealand.
Professional activities
2012 - ongoing Assoc. Editor TESOL in Context
2012 Co-Convener 2012 TASA Sociology of Education symposium "Disrupting inequality: What has and what can Sociology of Education do to make a difference?". 2009 Committee Member Victorian Association for Teachers of Multicultural Education (VATME)
2003/4 Secretary, Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) 2004 Melbourne Conference Committee
2003 Reviews Editor, TESOL in Context, Journal of Australian Council of TESOL Associations
1995 2000 Committee Member, Victorian Association for Teachers of Multicultural Education (VATME)
1996/2001 Convener Critical literacy discussion group Faculty of Education, Monash University
1998/2000 Chair, Education Research Community of Staff and Students (ERCSS)
Media appearances
Four online language courses to try in isolation and how to actually commit to your goal. news.com.au. (21 April 2020).
Mandarin now most popular foreign language in Victorian state schools. Sydney Morning Herald. (16 June 2019).
Will more Australians take on the challenge of learning another language? SBS News (radio). (14 November 2018).
Applications open for English Teaching Scholarships. Media release from the Northern Territory Minister for Education. (15 June 2018).
Why learn a language in Australia today? Michiko Weinmann & Ruth Arber: this, Deakin University. (26 September 2017)
This is what we need to do to boost languages learning in Australian schools. AARE EduResearch Matters. (21 November 2016).
Researchers encourage learning a new language for new year. Whitehorse Leader. (4 January 2016).
What should be at the top of your New Year’s resolution list? news.com.au (3 January 2016).
Stereotypes alive and well in classrooms. The Age (October 20, 2008).
Awards
1996/2000 Australian Postgraduate Award
Projects
2013 DRG How Melbourne teachers practise Asia literacy: Religious dimensions Neilsen, R; Arber, R; Weinman, M; Kostogriz, A
2013 CRG The Global educator: The implications of teacher mobility on teacher education,policy and practice. Arber, Vongales- macrow
2012 - 2015 ARC Linkage Grant
Halse, Prof Christine ; Mansouri, Prof Fethi ; Arrowsmith, A/Prof Colin A; Moss, A/Prof Julianne ; Arber, Dr Ruth E; Denson, Dr Nida ; Priest, Dr Naomi; Webster, Dr Robert S Webster
Intercultural understanding in primary and secondary schools
2009- 2013 ARC Linkage Grant
Prof JA Blackmore; Dr RE Arber; Prof LE Farrell; Prof MT Devlin Investigating mismatches between Australian international graduate destinations and skill shortages
Investigating mismatches between Australian international graduate destinations and skill shortages
2012 DRG
Ruth arber, Athena Vongalies macrow
The global educator: The implications of teacher mobility on teacher education, professionalism and practice.
2012 small grant the manifestion of religious identity and relationships in Australian educational institutions
2009 ARC Linkage Grant
A Prof Alex Kostogriz, Dr R, Arber. Dr Z. Golebiowski
Supporting the English academic literacy of international students: A case study of TESOL program in an Australian University
A/Prof Alex Kostogriz, Dr Ruth Arber, Dr Bernadette Walker-Gibbs, Dr Simone White & Dr Joanne OMara (Mentor: Professor Diane Mayer) The professional practice of beginning teachers: What counts as effective teaching in disadvantaged schools
Professor Jill Blackmore, Professor Di Mayer; Assoc Professor Alex Kostogriz; Dr Ruth Arber; Dr Athena Vongalis-Macrow; Dr Richard Johnson; Dr Andrea Gallant; Dr Dawn Joseph; Dr Jennifer Angwin) Internationalisation, Inclusivity and Knowledge Work
2008 Research development fund
With Rod MacClean
Career change and intercultural English and ESL teachers
With Jill Blackmore Social-cultural impacts of fee-paying International students in Australian secondary schools and their implications for curriculum, policy and practice
2007 Deakin University Central Research Grant (CRG)
Received with Jill Blackmore Central Research Grant (CRG)
Impact of internationalization on secondary schooling and teachers
2005 Deakin University Just missed out Central Research Grant (CRG)
Received Deakin University Central Research Grant (CRG) International students in local Victorian government schools
2003-4 Deakin University - Research Initiative Grant (RIG)
Changing school communities: International students in government
Publications
M Weinmann, R Kanaizumi, R Arber
(2021), Vol. 2021, pp. 107-131, International Journal of the Sociology of Language, Berlin, Germany, C1
Introduction: Rethinking Languages education: dismantling instrumentalist agendas
Michiko Weinmann, Ruth Arber, Jill Blackmore
(2020), pp. 1-11, Rethinking Languages Education: Directions, Challenges and Innovations, London, B1
Michiko Weinmann, Ruth Arber, Roderick Neilsen
(2020), pp. 84-84, Rethinking languages education: directions, challenges and innovations, London, Eng., B1
Rod Neilsen, Michiko Weinmann, Ruth Arber
(2020), Vol. 29, pp. 1-13, TESOL in Context, Melbourne, Vic., C1
Rethinking Languages Education Directions, Challenges and Innovations
Ruth Arber, Michiko Weinmann, Jillian Blackmore
(2020), London, Eng., A7
S Ohi, J O’Mara, R Arber, C Hartung, G Shaw, C Halse
(2019), Vol. 18, pp. 234-247, European Educational Research Journal, C1
Fostering a sense of belonging and identity through sound and spirituality
D Joseph
(2018), pp. 189-200, Re-enchanting education and spiritual wellbeing, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Rethinking languages education: Directions, challenges and innovations
R Arber, M Weinmann, J Blackmore
(2018), A7
Beyond "little miss international": exploring the imaginaries of mobile educators
R Arber, P Pitt
(2017), pp. 189-207, Global teaching : Southern perspectives on teachers working with diversity, New York, N.Y., B1
R Neilsen, R Arber, M Weinmann
(2017), Vol. 7, Education Sciences, C1
Orientating multilingualism: navigating languages teacher identities
M Weinmann, R Arber
(2017), Vol. 37, pp. 173-179, Curriculum perspectives, Berlin, Germany, C1
Editorial: Australian TESOL contexts; a state of flux
R Neilsen, M Weinmann, R Arber
(2017), Vol. 26, pp. 2-6, TESOL in context, Melbourne, Vic., C1
Rethinking pedagogy and practice in TESOL and languages
R Arber
(2016), pp. 53-60, Multidisciplinary research perspectives in education shared experiences from Australia and China, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, B1
Mobile teachers: becoming professional mobile educators in the marketization of education
A Vongalis-Macrow, R Arber
(2015), pp. 629-644, Handbook of mobile teaching and learning, Berlin, Germany, B1-1
R Arber, M Rahimi
(2015), pp. 59-76, International education and cultural-linguistic experiences of international students in Australia, Samford Valley, Qld., B1
Deconstructing religious identity, difference, and belonging : implications for anti-racist pedagogy
R Arber
(2015), Vol. 9, pp. 21-35, Diaspora, Indigenous, and minority education, Oxford, Eng., C1
Doing diversity: intercultural understanding in primary and secondary schools
C Halse, C Halse, F Mansouri, F Mansouri, J Moss, J Moss, Y Paradies, Y Paradies, J O'Mara, J O'Mara, R Arber, R Arber, N Denson, N Denson, C Arrowsmith, C Arrowsmith, N Priest, N Priest, C Charles, C Charles, A Cloonan, A Cloonan, B Fox, B Fox, C Hartung, C Hartung, C Mahoney, C Mahoney, S Ohi, S Ohi, G Ovenden, G Ovenden, G Shaw, G Shaw, L Wright, L Wright
(2015), Melbourne, Vic., A6
R Arber
(2014), pp. 63-78, Mobile teachers, teacher identity and international schooling, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, B1-1
Mobile teachers, teacher identity and international schooling : Introduction
R Arber, J Blackmore, A Vongalis-Macrow
(2014), pp. 1-10, Mobile teachers, teacher identity and international schooling, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, B1
Australian international graduates and the transition to employment
J Blackmore, C Gribble, L Farrell, M Rahimi, R Arber, M Devlin
(2014), Burwood, Vic., A6-1
Mobile teachers, teacher identity and international schooling
R Arber, J Blackmore, A Vongalis-Macrow
(2014), Rotterdam, The Netherlands, A7
Encountering an-other : the culture of curriculum and inclusive pedagogies
R Arber
(2012), pp. 461-477, International handbook of migration, minorities and education : understanding cultural and social differences in processes of learning, Dordrecht , Netherlands, B1
R Arber
(2010), Vol. 34, pp. 1-43, English teaching & learning, Taiwan, C1
Social disconnection, or popular racism
R Arber
(2009), pp. 65-85, Youth identity and migration : culture, values and social connectedness, Altona, Vic., B1
Discourses of antagonism and desire : marketing for international students in neighbourhood schools
R Arber
(2009), Vol. 7, pp. 167-184, Globalisation, societies and education, London, England, C1
R Arber
(2008), Vol. 11, pp. 387-404, Race, ethnicity and education, London, England, C1
Whispering in our hearts: speaking of another in changing schools
R Arber
(2006), Vol. 27, pp. 85-101, Discourse : studies in the cultural politics of education, London, England, C1
R Arber
(2006), pp. 1-24, AARE 2006 : Conference papers, abstracts and symposia, Adelaide, South Australia, E1
Transmitting music through culture: a way forward to harmonise a discordant world
D Joseph, R Arber
(2006), pp. 1-8, AARE 2006 : Conference papers, abstracts and symposia, Adelaide, South Australia, E1
Speaking of race and ethnic identities : exploring multicultural curricula
R Arber
(2005), Vol. 37, pp. 633-652, Journal of curriculum studies, Abingdon, England, C1
Changing communities: international students in local government schools
R Arber
(2005), Vol. 4, pp. 727-736, International journal of diversity in organisations, communities and nations., Altona, Vic., C1
Perspectives of another: conceiving of ourselves in critical times
R Arber
(2004), Vol. 45, pp. 67-88, Melbourne studies in education, Carlton, Vic., C1
Defining diversity and its relation to the local and global: a question of methodology
R Arber
(2003), Vol. 3, pp. 132-148, International journal of diversity in organisations, communities and nations., Altona, Vic., C1
The presence of an-other: the prescience of racism in post-modern times
R Arber
(2003), Vol. 4, pp. 249-268, Journal of educational change, Dordrecht, Netherlands, C1
The ambivalence of otherness: the manifestation of `whiteness` in an Australian school--1988-1998
R Arber
(2003), Vol. 24, pp. 289-305, Journal of intercultural studies, Carlton, Vic., C1
Of great love and immense hate: the ambivalence of the other in a local/global school
R Arber
(2003), pp. 1-20, Teachers as leaders: teacher education for a global profession: ICET 2003 International yearbook on teacher education, 48th world assembly, Melbourne, Vic., E1
The diversity challenge : the implementation of multiculturalism in globalised times
R Arber
(2003), pp. 65-83, Managing Diversity Conference 2003: conference proceedings, Melbourne, Victoria, E1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Investigating mismatches between Australian international graduate destinations and skill shortages
Prof Jill Blackmore, Hon Prof Ruth Arber, Prof Lesley Farrell, Prof Marcia Devlin, Mr Mohammadali Rahimi
ARC_DUAPAI ARC_Deakin University Australian Postgraduate Award Industry, ARC Linkage - Projects Rnd 2 APAI
- 2013: $14,358
- 2012: $25,143
- 2011: $69,236
- 2010: $85,803
- 2009: $40,204
Intercultural understanding in primary and secondary schools
Adj/Prof Christine Halse, Prof Fethi Mansouri, A/Prof Colin Arrowsmith, Prof Julianne Moss, Hon Prof Ruth Arber, Dr Nida Denson, A/Prof Joanne O'Mara, Dr Naomi Priest
ARC Linkage - Projects Rnd 2
- 2015: $76,337
- 2014: $149,988
- 2013: $108,321
- 2012: $70,097
Other Public Sector Funding
Investigating mismatches between Australian international graduate destinations and skill shortages
Prof Jill Blackmore, Hon Prof Ruth Arber, Prof Lesley Farrell, Prof Marcia Devlin, Mr Mohammadali Rahimi
IDP Education Australia
- 2012: $35,000
- 2011: $35,000
- 2010: $35,000
Intercultural understanding in primary and secondary schools
Adj/Prof Christine Halse, Prof Fethi Mansouri, A/Prof Colin Arrowsmith, Prof Julianne Moss, Hon Prof Ruth Arber, Dr Nida Denson, A/Prof Joanne O'Mara, Dr Naomi Priest
DEECD Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
- 2013: $10,000
- 2012: $125,000
Adult literacy innovation program
Hon Prof Ruth Arber, A/Prof Michiko Weinmann, A/Prof Rod Neilsen
Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation
- 2018: $12,426
Upskilling EAL Pedagogy in the Northern Territory
Hon Prof Ruth Arber, A/Prof Rod Neilsen, A/Prof Michiko Weinmann
Northern Territory Government Department of Education
- 2018: $272,526
Language Teaching Professional Development: Practice-Based Research
A/Prof Michiko Weinmann, Hon Prof Ruth Arber, A/Prof Rod Neilsen
Department of Education (Queensland)
- 2018: $99,519
Upskilling the Languages teaching profession in Queensland.
A/Prof Michiko Weinmann, Hon Prof Ruth Arber, A/Prof Rod Neilsen
Department of Education (Queensland)
- 2020: $93,249
Building capacity in the languages teaching profession in Australia: Teacher perspectives.
A/Prof Michiko Weinmann, A/Prof Rod Neilsen, Hon Prof Ruth Arber
Department of Education (Queensland)
- 2021: $84,155
Industry and Other Funding
Intercultural understanding in primary and secondary schools
Adj/Prof Christine Halse, Prof Fethi Mansouri, A/Prof Colin Arrowsmith, Prof Julianne Moss, Hon Prof Ruth Arber, Dr Nida Denson, A/Prof Joanne O'Mara, Dr Naomi Priest
Together for Humanity Foundation Limited
- 2014: $30,000
- 2013: $30,000
- 2012: $30,000
Languages Teaching Methodology Course: Upskilling Community Language Teachers.
A/Prof Michiko Weinmann, Hon Prof Ruth Arber
Ethnic Schools Association of Victoria Inc
- 2019: $15,640
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Pedagogy in South Australia.
A/Prof Michiko Weinmann, A/Prof Rod Neilsen, Hon Prof Ruth Arber
Catholic Education Office
- 2019: $20,400
EAL Action Research for primary teachers
A/Prof Rod Neilsen, A/Prof Michiko Weinmann, Hon Prof Ruth Arber
Geelong Grammar School
- 2020: $890
- 2019: $9,602
Supervisions
Thi Mai Nhung Nguyen
Thesis entitled: Complexity of English Language Learners' Autonomy, Motivation and Self
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Safiah Sidek
Thesis entitled: Varieties of Blended Learning Pedagogy in Australian and Malaysian Universities
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Ali Safi Hashem Al Yassiry
Thesis entitled: The cultural and educational impacts of study abroad in the context of TESOL programs
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Penelope Pitt
Thesis entitled: Family Photographs, Migrant Mothers and Student Families: A Posthumanist Study
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Margaret Perger
Thesis entitled: Settling Teachers in Multicultural Classrooms: A Critical Response to Inequality
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Yeny Prastiwi
Thesis entitled: Folktales as a medium of teaching English: two primary schools in Solo, Indonesia
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Ena Herni Wasli
Thesis entitled: Using Drama Methodology to Teach Traditional Malay Literature in Brunei
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Yingmei Luo
Thesis entitled: Experiences of Chinese Learners of English in Sino-Australian Programs at Tertiary Level in China
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Nishta Devi Rosunee
Thesis entitled: Who's culture, where and why? - identity, culture and artistic expression
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Mohammadali Rahimi
Thesis entitled: Transnational employability and the university - work transition for Australian international graduates
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Jarjani .
Thesis entitled: Complexities of Active Learning Implementation in Higher Education in Aceh: Beliefs and Cultures
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Zuraini Ramli
Thesis entitled: Teaching and learning mathematics and science in a second or third language
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Bin Ai
Thesis entitled: Everyday Communication and Identity Work of Chinese Students in Australia
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Chi-Cheng Wu
Thesis entitled: The Outcomes, Proceses and Challenges of Inclusive Education in Victoria
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education