SUBJECT DESCRIPTIONS

All subjects listed below are 6 credit point subjects.

EDGT917 English Language: Examining Learners Problems

This subject is an introduction to the nature of the English language and the typical problems experienced by non-native speakers of English. It will canvass the basics of English grammar and vocabulary, from word classes (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc) through to the structure of sentences. It is aimed primarily at those who are interested in becoming teachers of English to second language learners in Australia or abroad. It will assist participants in consolidating their own knowledge about English and to diagnosing learners problems. 

EDGT930 Methodology in Second Language Teaching

This subject requires students to explore their own and others experiences of language teaching and learning and to research the general principles of language teaching, drawing on knowledge in the field of second language acquisition. The subject covers approaches to second language teaching and learning: grammar/ translation, audiolingualism, communicative language approaches and more recent task- and genre-based approaches. It also explores the theories of language and learning underpinning these and the issues in the implementation of approaches. It addresses issues of assessment, planning and curriculum design and programming in relation to teaching children, teenagers and adults in second or foreign language contexts. 

EDGT931 Teaching Speaking and Listening

In EDGT931 students gain an understanding of spoken discourse, the nature of spoken interaction, the differences between speech and writing and the ways in which oral fluency fosters language development. The subject also addresses the different ways in which spoken discourse can be studied covering critical and other traditions of discourse analysis, multimodal and ethnographic approaches.

The subject presents an overview of recent research and developments in the teaching of listening and speaking and how these areas can be taught in an integrated way making use of computer and other technologies and approaches. 

EDGT932 Second Language Literacy

This subject explores the nature of literacy. It consider the role of literacy within a range of social, cultural, historical and educational contexts. As well it will covers the following: a critical analysis of theories of reading and writing and their relevance for second language literacy development; an analysis of approaches to teaching reading and writing; the relationship between spoken and written language; principles for developing effective literacy programs; strategies for supporting the learning of literacy for ESL/EFL learners at beginner through to advanced levels in adult, and school contexts.

EDGT934 Teaching Pronunciation and Prosody

The subject provides students with an understanding of the English sound system: of intonation patterns, sentence rhythm and patterns of word stress, of English phonemes and also of features of connected speech such as elision and linking. The subject will also analyses teaching strategies and the development of teaching programs. There are topics on assessing learners needs and developing individual and class programs to address specific pronunciation needs. 

EDGT935 Teaching English in International Contexts (distance only)

In EDGT935, students gain an overview of the changing contexts of English Language Teaching internationally and of the issues relating to English as a global language. There is a focus on specific issues such as teaching young learners (with the development of English teaching at elementary level) and the use of appropriate methodologies in exam-based systems. Cross-cultural communication skills and issues of culture in language teaching are also be addressed. Students will have the flexibility to research specific countries and key issues that cut across national boundaries. 

EDGT936 Management, Policy and Curriculum in TESOL (distance only) 

In EDGT936, students research educational management and leadership in terms of English language teaching. The subject addresses the impact of education and language policy at national/ international and local levels. It also covers aspects of protocol and policy development in institutions, staff management and professional development, accountability and evaluation. There is also a focus on negotiation, managing interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Students explore models of curriculum development in language education and program evaluation. 

EDGT937 Field Experience Project in TESOL (on campus only)

This subject is intended for students who want to get an extended experience in teaching and learning in different contexts. It provides a background to teaching ESL or EFL in primary, secondary or adult contexts. Students will undertake observations and teaching in one of these contexts. Students would work closely with co-ordinating teachers who are experienced and skilled in supervision. Students would carry out situation analyses, develop portfolios of work and evaluate aspects of the teaching and learning they observe. The focus of their evaluation would also involve analysis of current writing and research in the area. 

EDGT938 Professional Experience in TESOL

This subject is intended for students who want to get an extended experience in teaching and learning in different contexts. It provides a background to teaching ESL or EFL in primary, secondary or adult contexts. Students undertake observations and teaching in one of these contexts. Students work closely with co-ordinating teachers who are experienced and skilled in supervision. Students carry out situation analyses, develop portfolios of work and evaluate aspects of the teaching and learning they observe. The focus of their evaluation also involves analysis of current writing and research in the area.

Students taking the Practicum by distance should locate an appropriate institution where they can work with students learning English. Students need to negotiate a placement with a supervising teacher who is qualified in TESOL instruction.

Please Note : Professional Experience is a compulsory component embedded in this course. Therefore it is an expectation that students who participate in this course are capable of meeting the demands of navigating their own way to, from and around the Professional Experience contexts,e.g. school sites.  It needs to be noted that the off-campus environment is beyond the control of UOW.

EDGT940 Materials and Technology in Second Language Teaching

This subject is intended as a practical introduction to the selection, development, adaptation and evaluation of a range of materials and media for effective second language teaching. It examines the nature of the materials/technologies, including their place in the curriculum, the assumptions underlying them, and the roles of teachers and learners implied by them. The subject focuses on the use of computers to create productive learning experiences for ESL/EFL students through the use of such resources as CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) materials, on-line resources and multimedia materials created through various text tools.

EDGT976 Text and Context

This subject introduces students to a functional approach to language, focusing on the functions that English plays in our lives and the language resources that students need to control in order to use English effectively in a range of situations. The model adopted is that of Halliday and colleagues - an approach that underpins several language syllabuses in Australia and internationally. This approach (Systemic Functional Linguistics) looks at the relationship between the texts that we use in our daily lives and the contexts in which these texts are produced. 

EDGT983 Assessing and Evaluating in ESL Environments

This subject prepares those involved in teaching English as a Second Language to assess learners language proficiency. Participants are introduced to a variety of assessment approaches and techniques, ranging from informal, classroom based assessment through to high stakes formal tests. Principles of validity and reliability of assessment procedures will be addressed. This subject is designed to give an overview of recent changes in testing, assessment and evaluation. Assessment is usually a controversial area, fraught with debates over different approaches, different paradigms and overtones of accountability. We need to understand the issues so that we can develop a clear position on such questions and how they relate to the profession, our educational institution, and our own classroom. This subject also gives a good understanding of how to develop appropriate and useful classroom tests and how to develop and implement assessment programs. 

EDGT984 Theories of Second Language Learning

Second language acquisition draws on theories from linguistics, cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and education, and aims to account for processes of learning a second language. This subject is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the issues and factors prevailing in second language acquisition. Its scope ranges from first language acquisition to different approaches to examining second language development including behaviourist, cognitive, functional, social-cultural and sociolinguistic approaches. These topics provide an appreciation of the complexity of second language learning and how successful learning may be promoted. 

EDGT985 English in Specific Contexts 

This subject is designed to provide an overview of the recent developments in research on English for Specific Purposes (e.g. business, academic and medical etc). It begins with a review of the emergence of ESP, its historical background and development, and current status in the context of ESL/EFL. This is followed by an introduction to discourse analysis and its relevance to ESP. Cross-cultural differences in discourse patterns are also explored. Students have opportunities to analyse written and spoken texts used in different ESP contexts. On the basis of the analysis, the subject turns to a discussion of the implications for ESP course design and evaluation. Although the focus of the subject is on developing students ability to design an effective ESP program, their engagement with discourse analysis helps heighten their awareness of the genres which might facilitate their growth as writers in academic settings. 

EDGX917 International and Intercultural Perspectives (distance only)

Learning and teaching is strongly influenced by international developments in education and by multicultural learning environments. Students will critically analyse issues of language policy, intercultural communication, ethnicity, culture, and power from contemporary international and intercultural perspectives. Students will explore concepts of international education, internationalisation, global education and socio-cultural contexts of teaching, including education in less industrialised regions of the world and education for minority groups. 

EDGT990 Engaging Contexts of ESL Education

This subject addresses four contexts of TESOL: Global context related to the spread of English as an international language; local policy contexts related to initiatives of the state regarding the education of learners with diverse backgrounds; institutional contexts related to the provision of curriculum, roles of specialist personnel, school-wide ESL programs and school culture; and community contexts examining the nexus between school and community as it relates to second language learning, intercultural communication and the role of the school in providing education for diverse learners. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical pragmatic approach to both wider and local ESL education environments through researching the prescriptions, practices and impacts of these contexts.