Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate, Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

One in four learners in Australian schools comes from a home where the main language is other than English. If these learners are to experience equal educational opportunities and achieve equal educational outcomes, they need support in their language and literacy development and an environment that is conducive to their learning across all subject areas. This unit aims to provide mainstream subject teachers with the appropriate skills to meet the needs of non-English speaking background learners through developing an understanding of the language-related needs of these learners and of ways of meeting these needs.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, pre-service students should be able to:

1. enhance understandings of the language-related needs of learners from non-English speaking backgrounds and of ways of meeting those needs
2. develop awareness of approaches to learning materials and teaching practices which take account of the diversity in cultural backgrounds and experiences of learners in all classes across the school curriculum
3. develop collaborative working relationships between learners in different subject areas
4. increase awareness among subject teachers of the needs of ESL learners and the ways in which subject teachers and ESL specialists can work together to meet these needs.

Assessment

Assessment Task 1: Reading log (3000 words; 70%) and Assessment Task 2: Practical application - development of materials and pedagogical approaches (1000 words equivalent; 30%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Marie-Therese Jensen

Contact hours

3 contact hours per week

Prerequisites

Enrolment in pre-service teacher education qualification Bachelor of Education or Graduate Diploma of Education