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APPL8260 – Language Teaching and Learning Beyond the Classroom

2024 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Yeong Ju Lee
Peter Roger
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppLingTESOL or MAppLing or MTransInterMAppLingTESOL
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Language learning beyond the language classroom plays a crucial role in the development of high levels of language proficiency. Increasing attention to language learning beyond the classroom is also influencing thinking on key concepts in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research that has hitherto been based largely on classroom research. In this unit, you will explore recent research on language learning beyond the classroom, and examine its impact on SLA. Emphasising an ecological view of relationships between out-of-class learning and in-class learning, the unit covers the roles of intentional and incidental learning inside and outside the classroom, debates on the need for instruction in SLA, and the implications of research on language learning beyond the classroom for our understanding of the concepts of autonomy, learning strategies and motivation.

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: Reflect critically on the contribution of in-class and out-of-class activities and experiences to individual second or foreign language learning journeys
  • ULO2: Explain key terms and concepts that have been developed to account for language learning beyond the classroom
  • ULO3: Apply an in-depth understanding of distinctions between intentional and incidental, explicit and implicit learning to a range of in-class and out-of-class learning activities
  • ULO4: Critically evaluate research literature on learner autonomy, learning strategies, language learning ecologies, language learning spaces or motivation from the perspective of language learning beyond the classroom
  • ULO5: Apply a theoretical understanding of learning beyond the classroom to a specific site, space, application or resource used for language learning by individuals or groups of learners.

General Assessment Information

Important: Please refer to the detailed assessment instructions for each assessment task, which will be posted in the 'Assessment' block on the APPL8260 iLearn site. These instructions contain essential information about the ways that individual assessment tasks should be approached and presented.

All assessment tasks must be submitted in order to be eligible to pass this unit.

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.

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. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Language learning history 20% No Wed 14th Aug 2024
Case study presentation 30% No Sun 22nd Sept 2024
Independent inquiry project 50% Yes Fri 1st Nov 2024

Language learning history

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Wed 14th Aug 2024
Weighting: 20%

 

Students write their own individual language learning history, focusing on the relative contributions of in-class and out-of-class activities to their learning of one or more second or foreign languages.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect critically on the contribution of in-class and out-of-class activities and experiences to individual second or foreign language learning journeys
  • Explain key terms and concepts that have been developed to account for language learning beyond the classroom

Case study presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Sun 22nd Sept 2024
Weighting: 30%

 

Students prepare an oral presentation in which they apply themes and concepts covered in the first half of the unit to a 'case study' of language learning beyond the classroom.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key terms and concepts that have been developed to account for language learning beyond the classroom
  • Apply an in-depth understanding of distinctions between intentional and incidental, explicit and implicit learning to a range of in-class and out-of-class learning activities
  • Critically evaluate research literature on learner autonomy, learning strategies, language learning ecologies, language learning spaces or motivation from the perspective of language learning beyond the classroom

Independent inquiry project

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Fri 1st Nov 2024
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Students complete an in-depth report that describes and analyses a particular site, space, application or resource related to language learning beyond the classroom, from the perspective of one or more of the major theoretical lenses covered in this unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect critically on the contribution of in-class and out-of-class activities and experiences to individual second or foreign language learning journeys
  • Explain key terms and concepts that have been developed to account for language learning beyond the classroom
  • Apply an in-depth understanding of distinctions between intentional and incidental, explicit and implicit learning to a range of in-class and out-of-class learning activities
  • Critically evaluate research literature on learner autonomy, learning strategies, language learning ecologies, language learning spaces or motivation from the perspective of language learning beyond the classroom
  • Apply a theoretical understanding of learning beyond the classroom to a specific site, space, application or resource used for language learning by individuals or groups of learners.

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

APPL8260 is delivered through a weekly two-hour on-campus seminar (lecture-workshop), which is also broadcast simultaneously on a videoconferencing platform (e.g. Zoom).  These sessions are recorded and will be available on Echo 360.  It is essential for students to listen in full to these recordings each week if they are unable to attend in real time.

Weekly readings for the unit will be available through the Leganto bock on the APPL8260 iLearn site.  Lecture slides and other learning material will also be posted weekly on iLearn during the semester.  There is no set textbook for this unit.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 Language Learning Histories

Week 2 Mapping language learning beyond the classroom

Week 3 How are languages learnt?

Week 4 Motivation and identity

Week 5 Language learning strategies

Week 6 Learner Autonomy

Week 7 Ecologies of language learning

Week 8 Social networks in language learning

Week 9 Language learning and identity

Week 10 Language learning in and out of class

Week 11 Spaces and Places

Week 12 Language learning and the internet

Week 13 Researching language learning beyond the classroom

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

All students are required to complete Safer Communities @ MQ on iLearn before they can access the unit materials.

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. 

Changes since First Published

Date Description
24/07/2024 Changes have been made to the unit convening team since this unit guide was initially published.

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook