EDF4429 - English as a second language (ESL) education

Leader(s): Dr J Miller (Clayton)

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit builds on the concepts and practices introduced in EDF4117 Second language pedagogy, including discussion and application of current theories of second language acquisition. There is a recognition that ESL teaching takes place in different contexts, settings and programs, ranging from intensive on-arrival language centres to similar needs mainstream classes. Students learn to assess the language needs of English-as-a-second-language (ESL) and non-English speaking background (NESB) learners. Students also use a variety of different approaches to develop their own materials and teaching activities to meet the diverse language, cultural and educational needs of these learners.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. access and develop materials and teaching activities which meet the diverse needs of ESL and NESB learners;
2. plan engaging lessons and units of work using language-related goals and objectives;
3. assess the language needs of ESL and NESB learners;
4. generate optimal conditions for language learning;
5. evaluate the effectiveness of various ESL programs;
6. appreciate the diverse cultural and language backgrounds of ESL learners and demonstrate sensitivity to differences between learners' cultures and that of the wider Australian community; and
7. demonstrate an awareness of the need to collaborate with colleagues to promote a whole-school approach to the language needs of ESL and NESB learners.

Assessment

This unit is graded Pass Grade Only (PGO); Assessment task 1: Part 1: An annotated bibliography (1,000 words; 25%) (Objectives 1, 2, 7); Part 2: An evaluation of curriculum documents and/or ESL programs (1,000 words; 25%) (Objectives 1, 5); Assessment task 2: A unit of work (2,000 words; 50%) (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4).

Contact hours

3 hrs per week

Prerequisites

Applicants must have a high level of proficiency in both spoken and written English (Some English and/or Linguistics at tertiary level is desirable), and (EDF4117 English language and literacy education or EDF 5448)

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled simultaneously in a professional experience unit(s).

Prohibitions

EDF5449 English as a second language (ESL) education B