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Unit of study_

EDMT5611: Languages Curriculum 1

Semester 1, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is designed to build pre-service language teachers' awareness, skills and understandings in languages education, to guide and prepare them for their future language teaching. Students will gain broad understandings about the nature and scope of languages education in the New South Wales context, about traditional and more contemporary and innovative classroom practices and particular aspects of policy and NESA documentation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT5611
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hongzhi (Veronica) Yang, hongzhi.yang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Essay
See details on Canvas site
35% Week 08
Due date: 15 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment hurdle task Lesson plans
See details on Canvas site
35% Week 11
Due date: 12 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment hurdle task Portfolio
See details on Canvas site
30% Week 13
Due date: 26 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Essay: Students are require to write an academic essay responding to the following statement: “From the brief introduction to languages education during the first few weeks of your language curriculum classes, what do you believe to be key issues for you in your pre-service languages teacher education period and for your teaching career to come? Discuss your thinking on 3 issues.”
  • Lesson plans: Pre-service teachers are to select a target class in either years 7 or 8, plan and design 3 linked sequential lesson plans, outline the appropriate learning outcomes, select and organise the content of the lessons in logical, sequential and structured ways to address student learning outcomes, and demonstrate knowledge of a range of appropriate and engaging resources and materials to support students' learning. In addition, pre-service teachers are to give a written rationale giving justification for the teaching approaches, activities, and materials with links to the wider literature and stage 4 syllabus outcomes.
  • Portfolio: You will compile a portfolio structured to showcase two aspects of your language teacher professional development. Further information will be provided about the structure of the document in the beginning weeks of the unit. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 05 Introduction to the unit; the role and value of languages education in the K-12 school curriculum Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 06 Language, culture and learning Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1
Week 07 Theories of second language acquisition; knowledge of current developments and research into teaching and learning of first and additional languages. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 language "input" -- listening, speaking, reading and writing (1) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 language "input" -- listening, speaking, reading and writing (2) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Planning, short and long term, the teaching cycle including assessing; lesson planning of effective learning and teaching sequences (1) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 Planning, short and long term, the teaching cycle including assessing; lesson planning of effective learning and teaching sequences (2) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 Intercultural "orientation" and pedagogy as a model underpinning program implementation; New South Wales context and the Australian Curriculum Languages. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 13 Language teacher growth and development, identifying professional learning needs; the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and specifically the AFMLTA's Professional Standards for Accomplished Teaching of Languages and Cultures (2005). *Due to the timetable clash with the public holiday in this week, online materials and tasks will be provided on canvas site for this week. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through Canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate knowledge of current and past state, national and international trends in languages planning, policy and implementation as well as developments in languages education methodology, also demonstrating research-based knowledge of the intercultural pedagogies of contemporary Australian languages education and a capacity to reflect critically on and improve teaching practice
  • LO2. demonstrate an awareness of the links to L1 literacy development through L2 learning, general theories of second language acquisition along with lesson planning skills, specifically a capacity to identify and articulate clear and appropriate learning goals in lesson preparation, the capacity to select and organise subject/content in logical, sequential and structured ways to address student learning outcomes, and a knowledge of a range of appropriate and engaging resources and materials to support students' learning for a group of learners from differing social, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds
  • LO3. demonstrate a general awareness about the roles and responsibilities of being a language teacher, and the responsibility of undertaking continued professional development in maintaining skills and proficiencies in the target language, particularly in regard to the language teachers's professional association's (Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Association's) "Professional Standards for Accomplished Teaching of Languages and Cultures (2005)", a capacity to reflect critically on and improve teaching practice, a knowledge of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and its impact on the professional life of a teacher, and a knowledge of the available professional development opportunities and the importance of personal planning to ongoing professional growth and research.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
6.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
LO2
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.3.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1. (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
2.5.1. (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
3.1.1. (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
3.2.1. (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.3.1. (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
LO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
6.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
6.3.1. (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
6.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.2.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
2.1.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1 A (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1 A (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
2.5.1 A (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
3.1.1 A (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
3.2.1 A (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.3.1 A (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.4.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
6.1.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.2.1 A (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
6.3.1 A (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
6.4.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

no changes

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

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