Students

APPL8220 – Practicum in TESOL

2023 – Session 2, In person-placement, On location

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Agnes Bodis
Philip Chappell
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertTESOL or MAppLingTESOL or MTransInterMAppLingTESOL
Corequisites Corequisites
(APPL8200 or APPL920) and (APPL8001 or APPL6000 or APPL600) and (APPL8250 or APPL6010 or APPL601)
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is offered on a pass/fail basis.This unit is centred on TESOL classroom practice. It is a practical application of the content of APPL8200, APPL6000 and APPL6010. It involves learners completing classroom observation tasks, supervised practice teaching, lesson and materials preparation, reflective teaching activities, and preparation of a teaching portfolio. The majority of time is spent on site at a language teaching institution.

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:

  • ULO1: Critically evaluate applications of TESOL pedagogy, including language teaching methods and approaches, use of materials, design of learning tasks and of whole lessons through classroom observations
  • ULO2: Apply a range of appropriate language teaching strategies suitable for a diverse learner group
  • ULO3: Plan and implement appropriate language learning activities and lessons that support a diverse learner group
  • ULO4: Demonstrate effective communication and ethical professional practice
  • ULO5: Critically reflect on your teaching practice, including your role in the learning and teaching processes, to identify elements that enabled and inhibited successful teaching and learning

General Assessment Information

Requesting an extension to assignment due date

On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

Late submission of assignments

If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included. 

Use of Generative AI

Please refer to instructions from your lecturer on the use and acknowledgement of use of Generative AI in your submitted assignments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Preparation Activity 20% No Week 7
Observation Tasks 1-8 30% No Based on placement schedule (approx. Week 10)
Portfolio 50% No Based on placement schedule (approx. Week 13)

Preparation Activity

Assessment Type 1: Non-academic writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

 

These are a series of tasks to be completed on iLearn from Week 1 to Week 7. They require engagement with assigned readings, analysis, evaluation, reflection and personalization of the concepts in focus and application to their own teaching context.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate applications of TESOL pedagogy, including language teaching methods and approaches, use of materials, design of learning tasks and of whole lessons through classroom observations
  • Apply a range of appropriate language teaching strategies suitable for a diverse learner group
  • Plan and implement appropriate language learning activities and lessons that support a diverse learner group
  • Demonstrate effective communication and ethical professional practice
  • Critically reflect on your teaching practice, including your role in the learning and teaching processes, to identify elements that enabled and inhibited successful teaching and learning

Observation Tasks 1-8

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Based on placement schedule (approx. Week 10)
Weighting: 30%

 

Observation Tasks fully completed with diagrams, notes taken during observations, questions answered and reflections included.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate applications of TESOL pedagogy, including language teaching methods and approaches, use of materials, design of learning tasks and of whole lessons through classroom observations
  • Apply a range of appropriate language teaching strategies suitable for a diverse learner group
  • Demonstrate effective communication and ethical professional practice
  • Critically reflect on your teaching practice, including your role in the learning and teaching processes, to identify elements that enabled and inhibited successful teaching and learning

Portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Based on placement schedule (approx. Week 13)
Weighting: 50%

 

The portfolio is a complete record of the teacher's practicum experiences and includes practicum preparation tasks, fully completed observation tasks, reports on practice teaching sessions, a practice teaching journal, lesson plans and materials, and other artefacts from the practicum.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate applications of TESOL pedagogy, including language teaching methods and approaches, use of materials, design of learning tasks and of whole lessons through classroom observations
  • Apply a range of appropriate language teaching strategies suitable for a diverse learner group
  • Plan and implement appropriate language learning activities and lessons that support a diverse learner group
  • Demonstrate effective communication and ethical professional practice
  • Critically reflect on your teaching practice, including your role in the learning and teaching processes, to identify elements that enabled and inhibited successful teaching and learning

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

The initial part of the unit is delivered fully online via iLearn and involves students reading, completing tasks, and completing practicum preparation tasks. These are included in the practicum portfolio and may also be discussed online with other students completing their practicum. Optional group meetings are offered via Zoom throughout the semester.

The remainder of the unit is carried out on placement at an approved school or college. Students also work from home to complete their portfolio.

Recommended Readings 

Richards, J.C., & Farrell, T.S.C. (2011). Practice Teaching: a reflective approach. New York. Cambridge University Press

Technology Used 

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.  

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.  

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session. 

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know. 


Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook