Unit outline_

EDUP4111: Teaching in Multilingual Classrooms

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with both a foundation and a framework for the effective teaching of English as an additional language within the context of small group teaching and culturally and linguistically diverse primary classrooms. The course will assist students problem solve and make decisions about appropriate group/class strategies through the curriculum in the broad areas of speaking, listening, reading/viewing, and writing. The decisions made will be based upon the integration of current second language acquisition (SLA) theory and more recent theoretical approaches that will lead to a socioculturally informed pedagogy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
36 credit points of 3000-level EDUP-coded units
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

EDUP3041

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jonnell Uptin, jonnell.uptin@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Research analysis hurdle task group assignment Exploring the Languages of the Students we Teach
In pairs students will present on a specific language other than English. They will analyze the similarities and differences this language has with English.
40% Week 03
Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 Sep 2025
2000wd equivalent AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Practical skill hurdle task New Arrivals Resource
Design a resource to be used by a stage 3 New Arrival student to use individually and independently.
25% Week 06
Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 Sep 2025
1000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Data analysis Project
Analyzing students spoken/written language to assess English acquisition.
35% Week 08
Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 10 Oct 2025
1500wd AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

3 Assessments.

Designing a New Arrival Resource.

Presentation, Exploring the Languages of the Students we Teach.

Project. Analyzing students spoken/written language to assess English acquisition.

Assessment criteria

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per The University of Sydney.

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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Case Study - Stories of Refugee students Independent study (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
First Nations languages Independent study (6 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 01 Migration in Australia from White Australia to Multiculturalism. Block teaching (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 02 Teaching New Arrival students. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Inclusive classrooms and student wellbeing. Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 04 The D in EAL/D Block teaching (3 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Assessing speaking using language acquisition tools. Block teaching (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Language Learning and Intercultural Education. Block teaching (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Refugee education around the world. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Teaching in International Settings Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

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

Text. 

  1. Moloney, R., Harbon, L., & Oguro, S. (2024). Teaching for Linguistic Diversity in Schools: Student Well-being and Achievement, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

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. Consider and implement knowledge of current educational theory, research and curriculum documents as they relate to teaching English as an additional language or Dialect (EAL/D) students.
  • LO2. Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • LO3. Critically reflect upon the linguistic and cultural challenges of EAL/D students in the curriculum and design pedagogical strategies to intervene.
  • LO4. Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
  • LO5. Understand the linguistic elements of English and other languages to explicitly teach into areas of need.
  • LO6. Develop an intercultural competence to include teaching methods and materials that celebrate diversity.
  • LO7. Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
  • LO8. Design and implement pedagogic practices that scaffold language learning in engaging ways.

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

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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