Outline

Overview

This unit of study is the initial Languages Curriculum (method) unit for prospective secondary languages teachers. The unit is designed to introduce pre-service languages teachers to key concepts and understandings of languages education and build their awareness and skills in preparation for NSW secondary classrooms. Students will gain broad understandings about the nature and scope of languages education in the NSW context, about traditional and more contemporary and innovative classroom practices and particular aspects of policy and NESA documentation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	72 credit points, including (EDSE2001 or EDHP2001) and 12 credit points at 2000-level from one of (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek, Spanish)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Hongzhi (Veronica) Yang, hongzhi.yang@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Essay See details on Canvas site	35%	Week 04 Due date: 19 Mar 2026 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Lesson plans See details on Canvas site	35%	Week 08 Due date: 30 Apr 2026 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Portfolio See details on Canvas site	30%	Week 09 Due date: 07 May 2026 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the unit; the role and value of languages education in the K-12 school curriculum	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to the unit; the role and value of languages education in the K-12 school curriculum	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Language, culture and learning	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Language, culture and learning	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Theories of second language acquisition; knowledge of current developments and research into teaching and learning of first and additional languages	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Language, culture and learning	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Language "input"-- listening, speaking, reading and writing (1)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Language "input"-- listening, speaking, reading and writing (1)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Language "input"-- listening, speaking, reading and writing (2)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Language "input"-- listening, speaking, reading and writing (2)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Planning, short and long term, the teaching cycle including assessing (1)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Planning, short and long term, the teaching cycle including assessing (1)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Planning, short and long term, the teaching cycle including assessing (2)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Planning, short and long term, the teaching cycle including assessing (2)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Intercultural "orientation" and pedagogy as a model underpinning program implementation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Intercultural "orientation" and pedagogy as a model underpinning program implementation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	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 (2 hr)
Week 09	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.	Tutorial (2 hr)

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

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 language planning, policy and implementation as well as developments in language education methodology, also demonstrating research-based knowledge of the intercultural pedagogies of contemporary Australian language 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' 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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 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.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 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.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 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		(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.
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.
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.

Responding to student feedback

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

no changes

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EDSE3047: Teaching Languages 1A

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links