Students
SPHL3310 – Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives in Speech and Language Development
2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Nan Xu
Felicity Cox
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
50cp at 2000 level or above including LING2217 or LING217
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces you to theoretical and clinical perspectives on children’s acquisition of speech and language in the infant, toddler, and pre-school years. These topics are discussed with respect to typical as well as less typical language development. Tutorials and assignments focus on the understanding and communication of language development research to parents, and analysing linguistic data in preparation of clinical diagnosis. |
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: Demonstrate and apply an advanced understanding of how typically developing children (0-5) develop speech and language.
- ULO2: Communicate a basic understanding of ways that speech and language development can be atypical.
- ULO3: Evaluate and make informed decisions regarding theories and research in typical and atypical speech and language development.
- ULO4: Revise the ability to work as part of a team to communicate language acquisition research and its implications to the general public.
- ULO5: Discuss the impact that (atypical) speech and language development has on the children’s family and on their own ability to participate in society.
- ULO6: Analyse, interpret, and report on speech and language samples.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 40% | No | During Examination Week |
| Case Report | 35% | No | 02/06/2025 |
| Podcast research commentary | 25% | No | 28/04/2025 |
Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: During Examination Week
Weighting: 40%
You will undertake an examination covering course content.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply an advanced understanding of how typically developing children (0-5) develop speech and language.
- Communicate a basic understanding of ways that speech and language development can be atypical.
- Evaluate and make informed decisions regarding theories and research in typical and atypical speech and language development.
Case Report
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: 02/06/2025
Weighting: 35%
You will be provided with raw data and initial phonological analysis of a speech and language assessment. You will submit a case report that summarizes and analyzes the findings and relates the findings back to the scientific literature (1500 words).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply an advanced understanding of how typically developing children (0-5) develop speech and language.
- Communicate a basic understanding of ways that speech and language development can be atypical.
- Discuss the impact that (atypical) speech and language development has on the children’s family and on their own ability to participate in society.
- Analyse, interpret, and report on speech and language samples.
Podcast research commentary
Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 28/04/2025
Weighting: 25%
You will work in groups to produce a short podcast aimed at parents of young children. In the podcast, you will present parents with information about a research study on infant language development, and provide a balanced interpretation of the implications for how parents could scaffold the language development of their child.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply an advanced understanding of how typically developing children (0-5) develop speech and language.
- Communicate a basic understanding of ways that speech and language development can be atypical.
- Evaluate and make informed decisions regarding theories and research in typical and atypical speech and language development.
- Revise the ability to work as part of a team to communicate language acquisition research and its implications to the general public.
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
As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including weekly required readings, weekly tutorial instructions and tutorial sessions (some weeks excepted), and assignment-specific resources.
All required readings and lecture materials provide the necessary content knowledge for successful completion of the exam and provide the basis for successful completion of the assignments.
Tutorials are specifically designed to develop the skills required for the successful completion of the assignments.
Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
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.
Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook