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Unit outline_

EDSE4514: Teaching International English

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The field of teaching English to speakers of other languages is an expanding one. Each year many students enrol in ELICOS centres and other institutions in Australia, as well as equivalent institutions overseas. The teaching of English is growing worldwide with ongoing expansion in Asian and Middle Eastern countries in teaching English in the primary and secondary schools and the tertiary sector. The goal of this unit is to provide pre-service teachers with the foundations of successful teaching of English as an additional language in international contexts and to international students in Australia. The unit will encourage students to make decisions about appropriate approaches to teaching and programming language and classroom strategies across a number of disciplines and contexts; it will develop their knowledge of the systems of English language; it will extend intercultural skills and understanding; it aims to give insight into current debates within the field and suggest directions for future thinking and planning.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
210 Credit point
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
EDGU2000 or EDGU3000 or EDGU4000 or EDSE3043
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Benjamin Carkagis, benjamin.carkagis@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Minnie Fabiansson, hien.fabiansson@sydney.edu.au
Irma Basu, irma.basu@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Warmer (micro teaching)
Written assessment
5% Multiple weeks 20 min lesson
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Small test Preliminary reflective observation report on classroom teaching
Written assessment
5% Week 02
Due date: 06 Aug 2024 at 23:59
1 hour in class assignment
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Language analysis
Written assessment
10% Week 04
Due date: 25 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Grammar analysis take-home exam
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Reflective observation report on classroom teaching
Written assessment
20% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Essay
Written assessment
25% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Portfolio of activities
Portfolio of activities
30% Week 09
Due date: 29 Sep 2024 at 23:59
3600 words (equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation Contributions to discussion
Participation
5% Weekly 800 words minimum
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Warmer (micro teaching): The aim of this task is for you to (a) build on your teaching experience; and (b) develop your understanding of English grammar and vocabulary.  You will plan and deliver a warmer with a specific language focus (ie, grammar and/or vocabulary).
  • Contributions to discussion: The overarching aim of this task is to create a sense of community and shared learning throughout the course while at the same time reflecting on the weekly readings and sessions. The specific aim of this task is for you to participate in a discussion forum on how theory influences classroom practice.
  • Language analysis: TESOL teachers need in-depth understanding of the systems of English language, how to identify student strengths and needs, and how to best deal with the language demands of curriculum. This is a short take-home task requiring you to recognise word forms and verb forms and functions. You will be given an authentic TESOL text and asked to identify various language points from these texts.
  • Essay: The aim of this task is to develop your ideas from your contributions to discussions assignment into a coherent analysis and discussion, which will focus on the practical implications of TESOL theory.
  • Reflective observation report on classroom teaching: The aim of this task is to develop understanding of how TESOL lessons are structured and the different classroom skills needed to develop teaching skills in explaining, engaging, and organising the learning of English language learners.

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.

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.

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 01 1. Course overview & intro to TESOL; 2. Culture through content Seminar (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 1. Understanding & teaching grammar; 2. Preliminary Observation Report and Eliciting and checking meaning Seminar (8 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
1. How language is learned; 2. teaching language Seminar (8 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 1. L1 interference; 2. Lesson observation Seminar (8 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 1. Mini practicum; 2. Teaching vocabulary Seminar (8 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 1. Teaching speaking; 2. Teaching reading and listening Seminar (8 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 07 1. Teaching writing; 2. Adapting your teaching for diverse contexts; technology-enhanced language learning Seminar (8 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 1. Errors and feedback; teaching pronunciation and prosody; 2. lesson plan consolidation; course overview and reflection Seminar (8 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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.

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The textbook for the unit is:
Harmer, J. (2015). The Practice of English Language Teaching 5th Ed (With DVD).
Harlow: Pearson.
All students are required to purchase a copy before the first session.

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 of ELT provisions in Australia and abroad, the backgrounds of these learners, and the social and educational needs of these learners
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the systems of English and second language development, and the implications of this for teaching and learning
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the language strengths and diverse needs of ESL and EFL learners and the language demands of respective learning contexts
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to develop programmes and lesson plans reflecting the principles of TESOL curricula and current methodological approaches
  • LO5. demonstrate the ability to design tasks that enhance communicative competence, as well as linguistic competence
  • LO6. demonstrate the ability to plan and design lessons and learning activities for the development of learners' spoken language
  • LO7. demonstrate the ability to plan and design learning activities, sequences, and lesson plans to develop reading and writing.

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
1.1. Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students.
1.2. Understand how students learn.
1.3. Students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
1.4. Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
1.5. Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
1.6. Strategies to support full participation of students with disability.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Professional Level – PG and Professional Learning) - AITSL
6.1. Identify and plan professional learning needs
LO2
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.1. Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
2.2. Content selection and organisation
2.3. Curriculum, assessment and reporting
2.5. Literacy and numeracy strategies
2.6. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
LO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
5.1. Assess student learning
5.2. Provide feedback to students on their learning
5.4. Interpret student data
LO4
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
4.1. Support student participation
4.2. Manage classroom activities
4.3. Manage challenging behaviour
4.5. Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically
LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Professional Level – PG and Professional Learning) - AITSL
3.1. Establish challenging learning goals
3.2. Plan, structure and sequence learning programs
3.3. Use teaching strategies
3.4. Select and use resources
3.5. Use effective classroom communication
3.6. Evaluate and improve teaching programs
3.7. Engage parents / carers in the educative process
LO6
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
3.1. Establish challenging learning goals
3.2. Plan, structure and sequence learning programs
3.3. Use teaching strategies
3.4. Select and use resources
3.5. Use effective classroom communication
3.6. Evaluate and improve teaching programs
3.7. Engage parents / carers in the educative process
LO7
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
3.1. Establish challenging learning goals
3.2. Plan, structure and sequence learning programs
3.3. Use teaching strategies
3.4. Select and use resources
3.5. Use effective classroom communication
3.6. Evaluate and improve teaching programs
3.7. Engage parents / carers in the educative process

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

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