1999 Education Handbook - Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Languages Other Than English (PostgradDipLOTE)

Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Languages Other Than English (PostgradDipLOTE)

General information
Introduction to course
Objectives
Admission requirements
Credit provision
Course structure
- Core subjects
  - Option 1 (four subjects)
  - Option 2 (four subjects)
- Elective subjects
Length of course/workload required
Further information

General information

Clayton campus
Course code: 0154
Contact: Dr Margaret Gearon (please telephone 9905 2819 or 9905 2784 for initial inquiries)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Languages Other Than English course is designed to accommodate teachers at all levels seeking to improve their professional competence, to deepen their understanding of the processes of second language learning and teaching, and to broaden their qualifications.

Objectives

The objectives of the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Languages Other Than English course are to provide students with knowledge and understanding of:

reflective practices such as diary keeping, action research by teachers of languages other than English, thus allowing them to evaluate their approach to the teaching and learning of a second language in a classroom environment;
the second language acquisition and learning theories underlying good classroom practice and the implications of these theories and those concerning the nature of language and their influence on classroom second language teaching and learning;
the development of classroom techniques which will ensure the implementation of learning goals and outcomes which lead to the acquisition of levels of communicative competence in the four macro skills commensurate with the age and amount of exposure of the learners to the second language.

Admission requirements

Candidates for the postgraduate diploma will usually hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized tertiary institution or an approved post Year 12 major (or approved equivalent) in a language other than English and demonstrated proficiency in the language or a recognised teaching qualification. Teachers who wish to upgrade their qualifications to be eligible for a teaching position in their LOTE need to have completed the language requirement prior to entering the course. Those who have only one subject to complete may seek permission of the course coordinator to undertake this as part of the postgraduate diploma.

Credit provision

Applicants contemplating admission to this course may seek formal credit or recognition of prior learning. Applicants should apply for credit prior to enrolment but currently enrolled students may also apply. The Faculty of Education considers each application on its merits within the context of the faculty guidelines on credit transfer which are contained in a booklet Learning from experience available from the Professional Development Institute, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Gippsland campus, Churchill 3842 ($7 postage and packing).

Course structure

For the award of the postgraduate diploma a candidate must satisfactorily complete four subjects, via one of the two options below:

Core subjects

Option 1 (four subjects)

GED3833 Theory and practice of second language education

and

GED3812 Educational applications of second language acquisition research

GED3815 Classroom-based research in second language education

ALM5250.12 Second language acquisition (from the Faculty of Arts - Department of Linguistics)

and

GED3834F Advanced practicum in language teaching: LOTE (this subject is mandatory for those teachers wishing to be fully qualified for employment with the Department of Education)
One elective subject - see list below

Option 2 (four subjects)

GED3800F LOTE methodology
GED3834F Advanced practicum in language teaching: LOTE (this subject is mandatory for those teachers wishing to be fully qualified for employment with the Department of Education)
Two elective subjects - see list below

Elective subjects

GED3830 Curriculum writing and syllabus design for second language education
GED3840 Assessment in foreign and second language education
GED3847 Theory and principles of bilingual/immersion education
An approved appropriate subject from the Faculty of Arts - eg linguistics, language acquisition, LOTE studies. Students contemplating this elective must have their subject choice approved by the course coordinator before enrolling in the subject

The attention of persons qualified for entry to MEd candidature is drawn to the opportunity they have of completing a masters degree with special reference to second language education. (See the information relating to Master of Education (LOTE) pathway in this handbook). Students should also note that the subjects taught in the postgraduate diploma are masters subjects and are assessed at that level. Any student wishing to transfer from the postgraduate diploma to the masters must have completed at least two subjects at credit level or above and seek approval of the course coordinator.

Length of course/workload required

The postgraduate diploma may be taken on-campus either by full-time study in one academic year or by part-time study in not more than three years. An academic year comprises two semesters and each subject is of one semester length. Candidates wishing to work in government schools will need to undertake a supervised practicum of at least twenty-two days in the relevant LOTE (GED3834F). Classes are held in the late afternoon. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is forty-eight.

Further information

Details of all subjects, including reading lists, follow the course information in this handbook. Not all subjects are offered each year and students should consult the timetable or the course adviser.
Further information regarding this course may be obtained from the inquiry office, Faculty of Education, Clayton campus (telephone 9905 2819 or 9905 2784) or visit our web site at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/