Unit Outline

This unit introduces you to the foundations of second language acquisition. It has been designed to introduce you to the role of Languages within the curriculum, second language acquisition theories, an appreciation of the relevance of intercultural understanding, links to first language learning and to clarify your thoughts and your role as an educator with regard to Languages education within the early childhood and primary sectors. In this unit, you will consider how language is acquired, how the intercultural orientation of languages learning leads to an appreciation of cultural issues and perspectives and introduces the beginnings of critical thinking around the key contemporary debates around languages education and their role in languages learning. By developing understandings of the nature of languages learning, you will begin to engage in close studies of resources and consider the implications for learning.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Apply knowledge of: the role and value of additional language learning as an integral part of learning; the links between first and second language learning; the relevance of cultural understandings within a languages program.
2	describe the nature and development of languages learning.
3	select and justify suitable resources for teaching and learning.
4	explain your role in supporting active learning pedagogies and purposeful conversations, focusing on languages learning.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ESH110 or EPR110

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Language Acquisition Quiz	Week 3	10 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	Reflective Statement	Week 5	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Selection of Suitable Language Learning Materials	Week 11	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Language Acquisition Quiz

Task Description:

This quiz can be found in MyLO and will be based on content covered during weeks 1 to 3.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 1.2

Task Length:

20 multiple-choice questions (45 minutes)

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Each question is worth 5 points	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Reflective Statement

Task Description:

Reflect on your understandings to date and respond to the scenario below by answering the following question:
How could you, as an educator, provide Ahmed with positive experiences in the learning of English as an additional language and in learning in other subject areas?

Ahmed is a young Syrian boy who has arrived at your educational setting as the result of a humanitarian placement. He has had some intermittent educational experiences in a refugee camp in Jordan. His L1 is Arabic, although he is unable to read or write, and he has very limited English. He is well cared for and has a supportive family with him (both parents and 2 older siblings). He enjoys using his hands and his parents say he loves listening to stories. He has no experience with technology and is quite concerned about being separated from his parents.

You should support your answer by referring to at least one Second Language Acquisition theory. In addition, you should refer to curriculum documents relevant to either Early Childhood or Primary settings, depending on your specialisation.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 1.2, 1.3, 1.5

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Summary of Second Language Acquisition theories (25%)	LO2
2	Description of links between Additional Language Learning and learning in other subject areas (25%)	LO1
3	Reflection on the teacher’s/educator’s role in supporting learning (25%)	LO4
4	Communication skills including the use of academic referencing conventions (APA) and appropriate acknowledgement of sources (25%)	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Selection of Suitable Language Learning Materials

Task Description:

This assessment task centres on your capacity to select sound pedagogical materials to support the learning of an additional language in a particular context and justify your selection with reference to current educational theory and practice.

The learning and teaching context you select for this task may be real or fictitious but should be situated in either an Early Childhood or Primary setting, depending on your specialisation. The intended audience of your report consists of management and fellow teachers/educators in this setting.

Your answer, which should be written in report format, should include the following sections:
• An introduction.
• A description of the learning and teaching context.
• A statement of the additional language and intended learning outcomes the materials should support. This should include references to curriculum documents.
• A description of the Second Language Acquisition theory underpinning your choice of materials. This should be supported by reference to academic sources.
• A description of the materials selected. Possible materials include a book, a web site, a multimedia resource/application, or a video/audio resource.
• Suggestions for the use of the resource to support the learning of an additional language and learning across the curriculum. This should be supported by reference to academic sources and curriculum documents.
A summary/conclusion, justifying your selection of the resource.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 1,2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.1, 3.4

Task Length:

2250 words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Selection and description of relevant Second Language Acquisition theories (20%)	LO2
2	Evaluation of links between Additional Language Learning and learning in other subject areas (20%)	LO1
3	Analysis of the teacher’s/educator’s role in supporting learning (20%)	LO4
4	Justification for the selection of the materials (20%)	LO3
5	Communication skills including the use of academic referencing conventions (APA) and appropriate acknowledgement of sources (20%)	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

There is no textbook for this unit. All required texts will be made available in MyLO.