Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade of Satisfactory (S) or Not Satisfactory (F) for this unit, which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128 and 129). This reflects the competency-based nature of the learning activities and the overall aim of the unit, which is to provide students with the opportunity to undertake supported teaching activities in a professional language learning and teaching environment.

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes and have a satisfactory level in your placement teaching and portfolio.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Submission due dates

Submission due dates for the Observation tasks and the Portfolio are based on an average schedule for the practicum. Should the practicum start later, or be interrupted, a new submission date will be negotiated. It is your responsibilty to discuss any changes to the end date of your practicum and your due date with the Unit Convenor.

Extensions are 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  

The unit is delivered fully online via iLearn and involves students reading and completing practicum preparation tasks. These are included in the practicum portfolio and may also be discussed online with other students completing their practicum. The main part of the unit happens at the placement site at an approved school or college through observations and supervised teaching. Optional group meetings are offered via Zoom throughout the semester.

Students also work from home to complete their portfolio.

Recommended readings (this is available through iLearn and does not need to be purchased):

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

Macquarie University recognises that artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, is rapidly reshaping education and the modern workplace. As AI becomes increasingly accessible, the University and your teaching staff are committed to preparing you to use these tools effectively, ethically, and with strong professional judgment. Rather than restricting technology, the emphasis is on helping you understand when and how AI can be used to enhance productivity, support learning, and reflect real-world professional practice. Across your degree, we will support you to develop the critical thinking, adaptability, and values-based decision-making skills required to navigate evolving AI tools responsibly, including acknowledging their use appropriately.  You should always appropriately acknowledge when you have used AI tools within assessment tasks, including which AI tools you have used and how you have used them.

To provide clarity, Macquarie University uses a simple, two-tiered approach to AI in assessment:

 AI Open assessments allow you to fully incorporate AI, reflecting authentic tasks where AI would normally be used in professional settings.

Observed with AI Optional assessments involve tasks where you either demonstrate essential knowledge without technology or show how you apply AI under supervision.

Across both categories, the goal is to ensure you build foundational knowledge, exercise sound judgment, and engage with AI in ways that uphold ethical, cultural, and university values.

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, and when on external placement representing Macquarie University, 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, including when on external placement activities. 

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 engage in online activities and work-integrated learning during their placement. 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 and mentor teachers who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend your placement. When on placement, please contribute to the workplace team appropriately and treat all staff and students with the utmost respect.

Students demonstrate their professionalism by meeting the Fitness to Practice requirements, which means that students conduct themselves in a professional manner and show that they are able to carry out the responsibilities and requirements of being a TESOL teacher. These include meeting the following attributes:

1. conduct (required professional behaviours): students must ensure that their conduct is within the bounds considered acceptable and worthy of membership of the profession;
2. performance (required competence): students must demonstrate a performance standard consistent with professionally accepted standards appropriate to their stage of learning;
3. health and/or disability (freedom from impairment): students must demonstrate awareness of their own health and ensure any condition/disability or injury does not provide unacceptable additional risk to themselves or others; and
4. compliance (compliance with eligibility requirements): students must comply with the relevant rules, regulations and standards for practising as a student, provisional or full member of the profession.