Augustine (Gus) Leger - Year 8 teacher
A strong desire to support English language learners on and off the playing field is what led intermediate teacher and coach Gus Leger to decide to study the GradDipTESSOL.
“In my coaching environment, some of the athletes I come into contact with require support and guidance to achieve the levels of literacy required to complete Levels 1, 2 and 3 NCEA. Through the programme I’m learning ways to develop student athletes on and off the playing field.
“This programme really opened my eyes to the many ways of assisting students who are not native English speakers. I now have greater appreciation for the fact that all students require support, and often they just need more time to think about the language being used.
“What I like most about the programme is that the lectures are concentrated into once-a-week evening sessions. The lecturers know that we are all busy balancing our regular work, life, family and coaching loads with study, and want us to succeed. We have a great cohort that gathers for our weekday lectures as well as amazing and passionate lecturers.
“I believe my GradDipTESSOL degree will be an asset in the classroom where I teach and in the school community I serve.”
Augustine (Gus) Leger teaches Years 7 and 8 at Sacred Heart College. As well as teaching a range of subject areas, he also coaches the school’s 1st XV rugby, softball and baseball teams.