Students

LING325 – Second Language Teaching and Learning

2015 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor
Jean Brick
iLearn convenor
Margaret Wood
Lecturer
Dana Skopal
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp or 6cp at 200 level including (LING210 or LING211 or LING216 or LING217 or LING218 or LING219)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is intended as a general introduction to major issues in second language teaching and learning with particular reference to the Australian context. It deals with the theory and practice of learning and teaching second languages. Authentic language data and teaching materials are used in order to present the second language learning experience from both the learner's and the teacher's perspective. Issues covered include: processes in second language acquisition; individual differences in second language learning; and principles of second language teaching, including course planning, methodology and materials design.

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:

  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching
  • Identify the assumptions regarding language learning which inform language teaching materials
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function
  • Discuss the major issues involved in developing second language courses and units of work

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Summary 10% 14th Aug 2015
Unit Analysis 40% 18th September 2015
Essay 40% 30th October 2015
Poster 10% 4th November 2015

Summary

Due: 14th Aug 2015
Weighting: 10%

Short summary of an article or chapter on second language learning. See iLearn for full details.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching

Unit Analysis

Due: 18th September 2015
Weighting: 40%

Evaluation of a chapter or unit taken from a second language teraching textbook in the light of research on language learning. Full details on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching
  • Identify the assumptions regarding language learning which inform language teaching materials
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques

Essay

Due: 30th October 2015
Weighting: 40%

An essay on one aspect of second language learning and/or teaching. Full list of available topics available on iLearn


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function

Poster

Due: 4th November 2015
Weighting: 10%

Poster on changing views regarding one issue in second language learning and teaching. Full details available on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Discuss the major issues involved in developing second language courses and units of work

Delivery and Resources

Room and time:

  • Wednesday 3.00 - 6.00
  • Room W5C 220

iLearn:

  • The iLearn site for LING325 is available from:

          http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

  • Full details of reading lists and assessment tasks are available on the iLearn site. You MUST consult these before commencing any assessment tasks.
  • Power point presentations and worksheets will be posted on iLearn on weekly basis before each seminar.

Echo:

Lectures will not be available on Echo because information presented via lectures will alternate with discussions and group and pair work.

Attendance:

You are expected to attend 80% of seminars. If you cannot do this, please discuss it with the Unit Convenor (Jean Brick). Attendance will be taken in seminars.

Prescribed text:

There is no text book for this unit.

Prescribed Unit materials:

There are 2-3 set readings for each session, together with a range of recommended texts. You are expected to read at least one of them each week in order to take part in discussions. The recommended texts provide a starting point if you wish to investigate a specific topic in greater detail, particularly with regard to assignments.

The list of readings for each week is available on iLearn.

The following books are recommended and have been placed on 7 day loan.

·         Celce-Murcia, M. & Olshtain, E. (2000). Discourse and Context in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

·         Cook, V. (3rd Ed) (2001). Second language learning and teaching. Arnold: London.

·         De Bot, K., Lowie, W. & Verspoor, M. (2005). Second language acquisition. A resource book. Routledge. Abingdon, Oxon.

·         Grabe, W. & Stoller, F. (2002). Teaching and researching reading. Harlow, England: Longman.

·         Hinkel, E. (ed) (2005). Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.

·         Hyland, K. (2002). Teaching and Researching Writing. Harlow, England: Longman.

·         Hudson, T. (2007). Teaching second language reading. Oxford: Oxford University Press

·         Lightbown, P. & Spada, N. (2013). How Languages are Learned, (4th ed), Oxford: Oxford University Press.

·         Rost, M. (2002). Teaching and researching listening. Harlow, England: Longman.

·         Saville-Troike, M. (2006). Introducing Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.  

 

 

Unit Schedule

 

   
 
Seminar date

Topic

Week 1

July 29

Introducing  language learning

 

Week 2

Aug 5

Theories of second language learning

Week 3

Aug 12

Communicative language teaching

Week 4

Aug 19

Teaching the skills: reading and listening

 

Week 5

Aug 26

Teaching the skills: writing and speaking

 

Week 6

Sept 2

Teaching grammar

 

Week 7

Sept 9

Teaching vocabulary

 

Mid-Semester Break

 

Week 8

Sept 30

 

Individual factors and e role of strategies in language learning

Week  9

Oct 7

Computer- assisted language learning and the role of social media

 

Week 10

Oct 14

Culture and Language Teaching

Week 11

Oct 21

Course design

Week 12

Oct 28

Assessment in language teaching

 

Week 13

Nov 4

Poster presentations

   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Learning and Teaching Activities

Discussions

Group and pair work

Assignment

Complete all 4 assignments

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function

Assessment tasks

  • Summary
  • Poster

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the assumptions regarding language learning which inform language teaching materials
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function
  • Discuss the major issues involved in developing second language courses and units of work

Assessment tasks

  • Unit Analysis
  • Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the assumptions regarding language learning which inform language teaching materials
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function
  • Discuss the major issues involved in developing second language courses and units of work

Assessment task

  • Unit Analysis

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching
  • Identify the assumptions regarding language learning which inform language teaching materials
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function
  • Discuss the major issues involved in developing second language courses and units of work

Assessment tasks

  • Summary
  • Unit Analysis
  • Essay
  • Poster

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching
  • Identify the assumptions regarding language learning which inform language teaching materials
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function
  • Discuss the major issues involved in developing second language courses and units of work

Assessment tasks

  • Summary
  • Unit Analysis
  • Essay
  • Poster

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the assumptions regarding language learning which inform language teaching materials
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques

Assessment tasks

  • Unit Analysis
  • Poster

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically evaluate different theories regarding second language learning and teaching
  • Describe a range of language teaching approaches, activities and techniques for each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Relate research findings to effective language teaching approaches and techniques
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function

Assessment tasks

  • Summary
  • Unit Analysis
  • Essay
  • Poster

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Poster

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Describe a range of approaches, activities and techniques for developing learners’ use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary
  • Critically evaluate language teaching materials with regard to their suitability for specific learner groups
  • Describe and evaluate the effect of a range of individual and contextual factors on language learning
  • Describe a range of assessment types and select the appropriate type of assessment for a particular function

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Poster