Unit rationale, description and aim
At a time of rapid ongoing change as a result of globalisation, internationalisation and developing information communication technologies, effective English language skills are of increasing importance. Educational institutions, therefore, require teachers and allied professionals with specialist knowledge and skills in teaching English language to learners with English as an Additional Language (EAL/D) and/or speakers of other languages (TESOL). In this unit students will explore theories of first and second language acquisition (SLA) and of the nature of language as a meaning making resource. Students will examine a range of current pedagogical approaches for English language teaching and assess their consistency with outcomes of recent SLA research. Students will apply their understandings of SLA theory to the design and justification of contextualised teaching and learning experiences which develop English proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing, the aim of this unit is to support students in developing the required specialist knowledge, understanding and skills for English language teaching.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unitLearning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Identify various theories about second language ac...
Learning Outcome 01
Construct a personal theoretical framework for tea...
Learning Outcome 02
Evaluate and apply contextualised teaching and lea...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Theories of first language acquisition,
- Theories of second language acquisition (SLA) including: differing proficiency domains developed through different pathways (BICS/CALP)
- common underlying proficiency
- comprehensible input, output
- context-embedded learning
- Pedagogies for English language teaching
- Pedagogies and practices consistent with SLA theories
- Context-embedded language teaching
- Curriculum cycle
- Linguistic scaffolding techniques
- Student participation models
- Preparation for practice teaching, including:
- Strategies for interpreting student assessment data to evaluate student learning and modify teaching practice to improve learning outcomes
- Seeking and applying constructive feedback from supervisor to reflect on and improve English language teaching practice.
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to successfully complete this unit, postgraduate students need to complete and submit two graded assessment tasks. The assessment strategy used allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and skill related to teaching strategies for TESOL.
In order to pass this unit, students are required to submit or participate in the first two assessment tasks. The first task, a written assignment, focuses on developing a personal theoretical framework for the teaching of English to EAD/D / TESOL students; the second task is a teaching portfolio demonstrating the application of SLA theology and pedagogical practices for a specific English learner.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 Written Assignment Develop a...
Assessment Task 1
Written Assignment
Develop and justify a personal theoretical framework for the teaching of English to EAL/D/TESOL students
50%
Assessment Task 2 Teaching Portfolio Develop a...
Assessment Task 2
Teaching Portfolio
Develop a Teaching Portfolio that demonstrates the application of SLA theory and derived pedagogical practices for a specific English language learner(s) and context
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit is offered in multi-mode and will be supported by a unit LEO (learning environment online) site. Engagement for learning is the key driver in the delivery of this curriculum. The unit will facilitate active participation in pedagogical approaches that demonstrate alignment of teaching, learning and assessment.
This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy. The learning and teaching and assessment strategies include a range of approaches to support your learning such as reading, reflection, discussion, webinars, podcasts, video, workshops, and assignments etc.
AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS - GRADUATE LEVEL
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:
AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS
On successful completion of this unit, students should have gained evidence towards the following standards:
Representative texts and references
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (2016). English as an additional language or dialect: Teacher resource. Retrieved from http://www.acara.edu.au/curriculum/student-diversity/english-as-an-additional-Language-or-dialect
de Courcy, M., Dooley, K., Jackson, R., Miller, J., & Rushton, K. (2012). Teaching EAL/D learners in Australian classrooms. Primary English Teaching Association Australia Paper 183. Retrieved from http://www.petaa.edu.au/imis_prod/w/Teaching_Resources/PPs/PETAA_PAPER_183.aspx
Hertzberg, M. (2012). Teaching English language learners in mainstream classes. Newtown, NSW: Primary English Teaching Association Australia.
Lightbown, P., & Spada, N. (2013). How languages are learned (4th ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Renandya, W., & Widodo, H. (2016). (Eds.). English language teaching today: Linking theory and practice. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.