Students

GMN 311 – Advanced German II

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Susanne Binder
Lecturer
Brangwen Stone
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
GMN310
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In this unit students develop their ability to follow complex lines of argument in spoken and written texts in German in a range of genres and to identify and extract key information. The unit focuses on practicing skills in expressing and defending sophisticated arguments and opinions and employing strategies to understand and respond to unfamiliar material in preparation for applying language knowledge to social and professional situations. Students will use their judgement in decision-making around communicative tasks (written, oral, spontaneous and prepared) in meaningful everyday contexts. This unit gives students the opportunity to sit for the Zertifikat C1 at the end of the year. Assessment is by tests, assignments and examination.

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:

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

General Assessment Information

Preparation, attendance and submission of assessment tasks

Attendance at all classes is compulsory. Students prevented from attending a class through illness or other valid reasons should notify either the course convener or the Department of International Studies’ secretary, Ms Jennifer Heward (9850 7005).

Preparation: Students are expected to prepare the course work to be covered in class in advance, as set out in programs or announced in class. They should also set time aside for regular revision of material covered in class and in previous study.

Submission of written work: expected by the specified due date (for details see iLearn and announcements in the seminar). As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assignment task is late. No assignments will be accepted after assignments have been corrected and feedback has been provided. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date. Assignments must have a Faculty of Arts cover sheet, signed by the student.

Indicative examples of assessment tasks will be available on iLearn.

Portfolio

Each student will compile a Portfolio of Language and Cross-cultural Learning. This document has several components in both English and the target language. It contains a record of formal and informal language learning experiences, a reflective diary of intercultural encounters that have influenced your studies, as well as self-assessment of your current language abilities. - Draft versions of individual portfolio components are part of the assignments which are to be completed throughout the semester. The final version of the Portfolio has to be completed and submitted by the end of Week 13. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Final Examination

Students enrolled in this unit are required to sit for this examina­tion to be held during business hours during the official examination period. Note: exams could be scheduled for Satur­days during that period. Students must not arrange to go away before the end of the exam period.  Do not expect that alternative examination arrangements can be made for you. The only exceptions to this are:

  1. members of the armed forces who must go away on duty;
  2. students representing Australia or the University in a national or international sporting or cultural event;
  3. students proceeding to a period of study in a foreign country associatied with a Macquarie University program of study.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 5% No Weekly
Assignments and Tests 40% No As outlined in semester plan
Portfolio 10% No Week 13
Final Examination 45% No TBA

Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 5%

Preparation prior to class leads to informed and active participation in class (campus students) and participation in online tasks (external students); Referat (class presentation) and dialogue exercises (C1 Mündlicher Ausdruck).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assignments and Tests

Due: As outlined in semester plan
Weighting: 40%

Assignments and Tests, including preparation of C1-material, are compulsory and must be handed in at the time specified. For details see iLearn and announcements in class.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Portfolio

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

The Portfolio of Language and Cross-cultural Learning:  in Week 13 all the components of the portfolio (drafted and developed during the semester) are compiled into one document.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Final Examination

Due: TBA
Weighting: 45%

Revision test of the material covered during the semester. This examination is compulsory. Students enrolled in this unit are required to sit for this examina­tion to be held during the official examination period.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Delivery and Resources

CLASSES

Lecture times (4 hours) and locations: Wed 9-11am in W6B 222 and Fri 9-11 am in W6B 214.

For current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2014/

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

Required texts:

  • Perlmann-Balme et al (2008): em neu Abschlusskurs. Kursbuch neu (Deutsch als Fremdsprache - Niveaustufe C)1.  Ismaning: Max Hueber Verlag. (ISBN 978-3-19-501697-1)
  • Orth-Chambah, J. et al.(2008):  em Abschlusskurs. Arbeitsbuch neu (Deutsch als Fremdsprache Niveaustufe C1) Ismaning: Max Hueber Verlag. (ISBN 978-3-19-511697-8)

Please note: Please do not purchase the old edition as it differs substantially from the new text.

  • Dreyer, H. &  R. Schmitt: Lehr- und Übungsbuch der Deutschen Grammatik - Neubearbeitung: 'Die neue Gelbe'. (Taschenbuch), Ismaning: Verlag für Deutsch – latest edition

Recommended texts:

  • Terrell, P. et al, Collins German-English, English-German (Großwörterbuch Deutsch-Englisch, Englisch-Deutsch)
  • Götz, D., Haensch, G. & H. Wellmann, Langenscheidts Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Berlin/München: Latest edition.

As these are rather costly, we will provide a copy for you to work with in W6A 209 and there is also a copy available in the library.

Recommended online dictionary:

  • http://dict.leo.org
  • http://www.dict.cc

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Online Unit Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2.

Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

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_2016.html

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

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources 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

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment task

  • Final Examination

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

  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignments and Tests
  • Portfolio
  • Final Examination

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

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignments and Tests
  • Final Examination

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

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignments and Tests
  • Portfolio
  • Final Examination

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

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignments and Tests
  • Portfolio
  • Final Examination

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

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Portfolio

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

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignments and Tests
  • Portfolio
  • Final Examination

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

  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignments and Tests

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

  • Listening skills: Students will work towards understanding extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument even if the topic is not entirely familiar; to understand general spoken language at normal speech rate even if the accent is unfamiliar; to extract specific information and follow the significant points in an oral utterance; to understand relatively long radio talks and interviews; to understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • Reading skills: Students will work towards understanding a wide range of written texts, including longer, more complex factual texts, commentaries and reports; clearly identifying and extracting information from a wide range of sources, including statistical information. Students will have developed strategies to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context; to understand frequently used set expressions.
  • Speaking skills: Students will be able to express themselves spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes; produce an oral presentation in order to present argument for or against something; negotiate decision-making processes taken from an everyday life-context with a partner. They will be working towards expressing themselves spontaneously and fluently when stating their own opinions on increasingly complex subjects; formulating their thoughts and views precisely and making detailed contributions to a discussion.
  • Writing skills: Students will be able to write a clear, well-structured text, interpreting or expressing points of view at some length; write about increasingly complex subjects; write in a style appropriate to the reader in mind; express and justify opinions and give arguments supporting their point of view; explain and compare ideas presented to them in a text which presents familiar content to them; use appropriate devices to ensure the smooth flow of a piece of writing most of the time; produce a text with few grammatical mistakes that would substantially interfere with the reader’s understanding. Students will be working towards expressing themselves clearly and logically in essays on complex issues, choosing the right kind of expression to appeal to the reader.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignments and Tests