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Unit outline_

EDPJ5021: Developments in English Lang Teaching

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit examines contemporary developments in English language teaching such as issues in the teaching of listening, reading, writing and speaking, as well as teaching and learning grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. Other issues that are currently being discussed in the TESOL literature will also be addressed. These include the notion of English as a lingua franca, intercultural language learning, integration of technologies into the language classroom, and research on learner autonomy.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hui Zhong Shen, hui-zhong.shen@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Chuan Gao, chuan.gao@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Details on Canvas
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2023 at 23:59
4000 w
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Summary writing
Details on Canvas
20% Multiple weeks 1000 w
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3
Presentation Oral presentation
Details see Canvas
20% Ongoing Equivalent to 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Presentations will be online via Zoom for onshore student or offshore students will send in a self recorded video preesentation. 

Assessment criteria

Grades are awarded as below:

 

High Distinction (HD) 85% and above

Superior analysis, comprehensive research, sophisticated theoretical or methodological understanding, impeccable standard of written English and presentation.

 

Distinction (D)75% and above

Thoroughly researched and well argued.  Complex understanding of the subject matter, which is analyzed in depth.  Superior standard of written English and presentation.

 

Credit (Cr) 65% and above

Average or better than average work, with solid research, perceptive analysis, effective preparation and presentation.

 

Pass (P) 50% and above

Completion of key tasks at an adequate level in argumentation, documentation and expression.

Fail (F) 49% and below Not satisfactory

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Welcome and introduction Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 02 Autonomous learning Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 03 Language research and approaches Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 04 Curriculum content and task- based learning and teaching (TBLT) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 05 Teaching English in global contexts Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 06 An intercultural approach to language teaching Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 07 Language testing and assessment Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 08 Language learning in an Australian school context Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 09 Teaching and learning vocabulary Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 10 Teaching and learning listening Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 11 Teaching and learning writing Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 12 Teaching and learning pragmatics Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 13 Wrap up, assessment tasks and unit evaluation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  

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 the Library eReserve, available on Canvas

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 an understanding and knowledge of the basic principles of Communicative Language Teaching
  • LO2. Develop a sensitivity to a broader pedagogical orientation in language teaching and learning
  • LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of the sub-skills connected to each of the macro skills in language teaching and learning
  • LO4. Develop an awareness of a range of issues relating to language learning, teaching and research
  • LO5. Demonstrate an understanding of the parameters of different kinds of language learning materials and tasks
  • LO6. Develop the competence to use a range of approaches to language teaching
  • LO7. Develop knowledge and understanding of designing and conducting a small scale language research project

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.

No change

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.