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APPL8260 – Language Teaching and Learning Beyond the Classroom

2026 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor/Lecturer
Yeong Ju Lee
Course Director
Agnes Bodis
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppLingTESOL
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

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 and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128 and 129).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

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

 

Late Submissions

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. Please notify the Unit Convenor if this happens.

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  

Unless an extension is approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day an assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Language learning history 20% No 20/03/2026 Individual Yes Open
Case study presentation 30% No 24/04/2026 Individual No Observed
Independent inquiry project 50% No 05/06/2026 Individual Yes Open

Language learning history

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 20/03/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

You will write your 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 task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 24/04/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

You will prepare an oral presentation in which you apply themes and concepts covered in 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
  • 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.

Independent inquiry project

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

You will 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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

APPL8260 is delivered through a weekly two-hour on-campus seminar (lecture-workshop), which is also broadcast simultaneously on Echo360 Livestream. Sessions are recorded and will be available on Echo 360. On-campus students should attend the classes, and online students can follow the livestream and/or access the recordings. It is important for all students to view the recordings in full each week if they did not attend the class.

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 language learning beyond the classroom

Week 5 Identity and language learning

Week 6 Language learning strategies

Week 7 Learner autonomy

Week 8 Ecologies of language learning

Week 9 Social networks in language learning

Week 10 Language learning in and out of class

Week 11 Spaces and places

Week 12 Digital language learning

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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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.

Artificial Intelligence Tools

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.

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 including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. 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 2026.03 of the Handbook