Students

ECED823 – Language and Literacy in Early Childhood

2014 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Emilia Djonov
Contact via emilia.djonov@mq.edu.au
X5B276
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ECED600 or ECED817 or admission to MEChild or MEdLead in Early Childhood or PGDipEChild or PGCertEChild or MEd or PGDipEdS or MIndigenousEd or PGDipIndigenousEd or PGCertIndigenousEd
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ECEX823
Unit description Unit description
This unit will explore what language is and how it develops in early childhood from birth to eight years of age. The relationship between language, learning and culture will be investigated. Students will consider different definitions of literacy and examine how oral language in the early years of life relates to subsequent knowledge of written, visual and aural texts. Issues to be addressed include how to create a language and literacy rich environment and the central role of adults in supporting children's language and literacy development in a range of contexts.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Use appropriate metalanguage when analysing language structure and function.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between oral language, adult-child interaction and literacy development.
  • Evaluate EC settings in terms of language and literacy development.
  • Pedagogical strategies for promoting language and literacy development.
  • Use peer reviewed research to justify decision making.
  • Use academic language appropriately to express ideas and arguments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Shared Reading 35% week 6
Observation of infants 35% Week 9
Special Interest Topic 30% Week 13

Shared Reading

Due: week 6
Weighting: 35%

Students analyse an interaction between an adult and a child during shared reading of a picture book.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use appropriate metalanguage when analysing language structure and function.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between oral language, adult-child interaction and literacy development.
  • Use academic language appropriately to express ideas and arguments.

Observation of infants

Due: Week 9
Weighting: 35%

Students observe the nursery in a Long Day Care centre and evaluate the language and literacy potential.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between oral language, adult-child interaction and literacy development.
  • Evaluate EC settings in terms of language and literacy development.
  • Use peer reviewed research to justify decision making.
  • Use academic language appropriately to express ideas and arguments.

Special Interest Topic

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

Students choose an area of special interest in early childhood language and literacy development from a list of topics.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use appropriate metalanguage when analysing language structure and function.
  • Pedagogical strategies for promoting language and literacy development.
  • Use peer reviewed research to justify decision making.
  • Use academic language appropriately to express ideas and arguments.

Delivery and Resources

The unit is run in both internal and external modes. Internal students must listen to pre-recorded lectures and attend and participate in 6 x 2hr face-to-face seminars, on Monday 11am-1pm, in weeks 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 and 13). External students must attend and participate in a compulsory on-campus session on 4 October 2014.  

There is a set text book, additional readings, weekly recorded lectures and weekly study tasks.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use appropriate metalanguage when analysing language structure and function.
  • Evaluate EC settings in terms of language and literacy development.
  • Pedagogical strategies for promoting language and literacy development.
  • Use academic language appropriately to express ideas and arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Shared Reading
  • Special Interest Topic

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use appropriate metalanguage when analysing language structure and function.
  • Use peer reviewed research to justify decision making.
  • Use academic language appropriately to express ideas and arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Shared Reading
  • Special Interest Topic

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Pedagogical strategies for promoting language and literacy development.
  • Use peer reviewed research to justify decision making.

Assessment task

  • Special Interest Topic

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use appropriate metalanguage when analysing language structure and function.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between oral language, adult-child interaction and literacy development.
  • Evaluate EC settings in terms of language and literacy development.
  • Use academic language appropriately to express ideas and arguments.

Assessment task

  • Observation of infants

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between oral language, adult-child interaction and literacy development.

Assessment task

  • Observation of infants

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between oral language, adult-child interaction and literacy development.
  • Evaluate EC settings in terms of language and literacy development.
  • Pedagogical strategies for promoting language and literacy development.
  • Use peer reviewed research to justify decision making.

Assessment task

  • Observation of infants