From Conflict to Community: Parallels in the Vietnamese and Yazidi Refugee Experiences in Australia
Australia has a long and complex history of providing a safe haven for those fleeing persecution, a tradition that has profoundly shaped our social, cultural and educational landscapes. In my own work as an educator, writer and traveller, I have had the profound privilege of witnessing this transformation from two…
Karaoke, Commerce, and Culture: An Unfiltered Morning on the Mekong
Bang, bang, bang! The abrupt, sharp sound reverberated through the thin walls of my Can Tho hotel room at exactly 4:30 AM. It was an urgent and impossibly loud pounding on the door that ripped me instantly from the depths of a heavy, humid sleep. I scrambled out of bed…
Resilience, Rebuilding, and the Classroom: The Settlement of Yazidi Refugees in Toowoomba
The 2014 genocide perpetrated by the Islamic State (ISIS) against the Yazidi people in the Sinjar region of northern Iraq led to the violent displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, systemic sexual enslavement, and the tragic loss of countless lives. In response to this catastrophic humanitarian crisis, Australia opened…
Reclaiming the Voice: Displacement, Education, and the Linguistic Resistance of the Yazidi People
For those of us working in education and advocating for displaced populations, the classroom—or the writing desk—is never neutral territory. When teaching Yazidi students, we are working with individuals whose primary language, Kurmanji, has become an act of defiance against a history of erasure. Understanding why many Yazidis harbor a…
Red Dust and the Peacock Angel: The Journey of Iraq’s Lost Generation
In the quiet, ancient villages of the Sinjar mountains, childhood was once defined by an oral tradition dating back millennia. That peace was shattered on August 3, 2014, when the Islamic State launched a genocidal assault on the Yazidi people. As an author, I have spent much of my recent…
The Strength of Our Mosaic: Why Multiculturalism Matters
Australia’s identity is not a static monolith; it is a vibrant, evolving mosaic. As an English teacher working with adult learners, I have a front-row seat to the profound impact of this diversity every day. My classroom is a microcosm of the world, where students from vastly different backgrounds bring…
Breaking the Silent Barrier: Teaching English to Non-Literate Adult Learners
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult learners who possess low or no literacy skills—often referred to as LESLLA (Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults) learners—presents a unique and profound pedagogical challenge. In my own work, particularly when supporting adult Yazidi students, I have witnessed firsthand…
The Living Archive: Personalizing the Yazidi Linguistic Landscape
An integration of academic landscape with real-world teaching, youth mentorship, and the narrative of refugee displacement. Introduction: From the Page to the Classroom In my three-part book series exploring the harrowing realities of refugee displacement, I have often written that forced migration strips a person down to their barest vulnerabilities….
A Culinary Journey Through Yazidi Culture: Food, Symbolism, and the Sacred Grain
As an educator working with adult Yazidi students, I quickly learned that our lessons extended far beyond the classroom curriculum. To truly know the Yazidis, an ancient, indigenous ethno-religious minority primarily hailing from the Nineveh plains and the Sinjar region of northern Iraq is to understand their fierce resilience. Throughout…
A Sweet Journey Through Syria: Origins and Traditions of Syrian Desserts
My appreciation for the culinary arts has been deepened in the most unexpected ways through my work as an educator. I have had the privilege of being introduced to the rich, aromatic world of Syrian desserts by some of my own students—talented individuals who, before joining my classroom, worked as…
The Culture and People of Iran: A Tapestry of Tradition and Transformation
Iran, historically known as Persia, is a land of profound cultural depth and historical significance. Situated at the crossroads of the Middle East and Central Asia, Iran has been a cradle of civilization for over 2,500 years. Its culture is a vibrant mosaic woven from ancient traditions, Islamic heritage, ethnic…
The People and Culture of Syria: A Tapestry of Civilization and Resilience
Syria, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, is a land of immense cultural heritage, architectural marvels, and a deeply rooted sense of identity that transcends centuries of turmoil and triumph. From the ancient ruins of Palmyra to the vibrant souks of Aleppo, Syrian culture is a living mosaic…
The vibrancy of Taiwanese culture
Taiwanese culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from indigenous traditions, Chinese heritage, Japanese influence, and modern global trends. This island nation, nestled in the western Pacific, has cultivated a unique identity that reflects both its historical complexities and its contemporary dynamism. From its language and festivals to its culinary arts…
Who are the Yazidi people?
The Yazidi people, an ethno-religious minority primarily based in northern Iraq, possess a rich and resilient culture shaped by centuries of tradition, spiritual devotion, and survival in the face of persecution. Their customs, beliefs, and social structures reflect a unique synthesis of ancient religious elements and deeply rooted communal values,…
The Philosophical Dimensions of Using AI for Research
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly powerful tool in the realm of research, transforming how knowledge is gathered, interpreted, and applied. As its influence grows, so too does the need to reflect on the philosophical implications of its use. Central to this discussion are questions about knowledge, agency, ethics,…
The plight of the Yazidis
Yazidis have faced historical persecution, culminating in the devastating attacks by ISIS in 2014. During this invasion, ISIS militants sought to eradicate Yazidi culture, labeling them as heretics. Thousands were killed, and many women and children were abducted and subjected to enslavement and abuse. The siege on Sinjar, a Yazidi…
Midnight in Taipei: Neon, Numbness, and the Betel Nut Beauties
June 3rd, 2002 – Taipei, TaiwanI am twenty-eight, single, and currently vibrating at a frequency usually reserved for tuning forks and panicked chihuahuas. I’m in the back of a taxi, hurtling down a dark suburban highway, when the night is violently interrupted by what looks like a UFO landing. It’s…
What is Scenario Based Learning?
Scenario-based learning (SBL) is an immersive training environment where learners are presented with simulated work challenges – and then based on their choices and decisions, they receive realistic feedback as they progress (and traverse) through the course. Unlike many e-courses, where learners passively absorb information by reading a text and…
Welcome to the Machine: How I Crossed the East China Sea for 24 Hours of Roger Waters
The realisation hit me like a sudden, sweeping chord change on a worn vinyl record. It was early 2002. I was living in Hsinchu, Taiwan, working as an English teacher, spent from long days of lesson planning, correcting grammar, and managing classrooms full of noisy young children. Then, a piece…