ATS3780 - English as an international language: Language and education - 2017

In the light of the global widespread of English and the status of English as an international language, this unit encourages students to examine in detail issues related to English language education in the contemporary world. These questions include: how should English be taught and learned? Which model of English should be taught and learned? Who are the most appropriate English language teachers? Should the English language teaching materials be revised? Should English language testing systems such as IELTS or TOEFL or TOEIC be problematised? What needs to be done in terms of language policy?

At the completion of this unit it is expected that students, as multilingual speakers, will be able to:

1. Present critical views on the ideology behind the learning and teaching of English;
2. Appreciate different models of teaching and learning English;
3. Re-appropriate English language pedagogy in order to help contemporary English language learners develop the ability to communicate in English in intra/international and intra/intercultural contexts;
4. Demonstrate a high level of awareness and understanding of the impact of ethnocentric teaching and learning materials or activities on learners and teachers of English.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Zhichang Xu

English as an international language

Linguistics

Twelve credit points of second-year Arts units.