Meet Hossain Davari

Board table

Hossein is English Australia’s newest board member and Academic Director at Australian National University (ANU) College. Holding a Bachelor degree in translation and interpretation and driven by his interest in and passion for teaching, Hossein pursued a Masters in TESOL which led to a career in education.

 

Hossein’s passion for teaching is evident when he starts talking about what it means to him to be an educator. In aspiring to be a good teacher, Hossein emphasises the importance of “understanding the background of students and getting to know students as individuals with different needs.” He believes that it is this understanding that makes a good teacher.

 

The understanding of individual differences and the strength that a nation can draw from diversity is what determined Hossein’s decision to make Australia his home in 2007. Clichéd though it may be, it is multiculturalism that drew him to Australia, and it is something he loves. He believes, “it’s great to be able to live amongst and make friends with people from different backgrounds with different world views.”

 

When Hossein talks about curriculum development, difference and diversity again determine his philosophy as an educator. Recognising this diversity means recognising that each student cohort will have different needs and gaps that a curriculum must address. He sees regularly reviewing a curriculum to make sure “it meets the needs of the students while being engaging and educational” as critical to learning and success.

 

Constant curriculum evolution has become increasingly important with recent changes in the student cohort. International students are “relatively younger than they used to be,” according to Hossein, and this is presenting new challenges. He goes on to explain, “they have never lived overseas on their own, they haven’t been away from their family and their support network and that brings a lot of challenges.”

 

And the solution? Hossein firmly believes that, “being flexible, and more understanding of our students backgrounds and where they come from and what it means to educate them is key to our success as educators.” Hossein is proud to be a part of the community of educators at ANU College who are dedicated to ensuring that their students have a positive and engaging learning experience that meets their needs.