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. It is not intended as a guide to teaching English grammar (see EDGT923 Teaching Grammar and Vocabulary) nor is it intended as a remedial English course for participants in the subject.

EDGT930 Methodology and TESOL
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 will 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 will explore the nature of literacy. It will consider the role of literacy within a range of social, cultural, historical and educational contexts. As well it will cover 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.

EDGT933 Practicum or Project in TESOL (core subject)
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.

Students taking the Practicum must be able to locate an appropriate institution where they can work with students learning English. Students working outside Australia may also need to pay any supervision costs by a qualified teacher within that institution. Students studying in Australia students are usually placed by the practicum coordinator although the students may choose to do their prac in their preferred institution if they can find one.

EDGT934 Teaching Pronunciation and Prosody
The subject will provide 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 analyse teaching strategies and the development of teaching programs. There will be topics on assessing learners’ needs and developing individual and class programs to address specific pronunciation needs.

EDGT935 Teaching English in International Contexts
In EDGT935, students will gain an overview of the changing contexts of English Language Teaching internationally and of the issues relating to English as a global language. There will be 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 will 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
In EDGT936, students will research educational management and leadership in terms of English language teaching. The subject will address the impact of education and language policy at national/ international and local levels. It will also cover aspects of protocol and policy development in institutions, staff management and professional development, accountability and evaluation. There will also be a focus on negotiation, managing interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Students will explore models of curriculum development in language education and program evaluation.

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 will examine 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.

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 Assessment in TESOL
This subject will prepare those involved in teaching English as a Second Language to assess learners’ language proficiency. Participants will be 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.

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 will begin with a review of the emergence of ESP, its historical background and development, and current status in the context of ESL/EFL. This will then be followed by an introduction to discourse analysis and its relevance to ESP. Cross-cultural differences in discourse patterns will also be explored. Students will have opportunities to analyse written and spoken texts used in different ESP contexts. On the basis of the analysis, the subject will turn 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 will help heighten their awareness of the genres which might facilitate their growth as writers in academic settings.

Last reviewed: 17 January, 2008