EDMM632-20S2 (C) Semester Two 2020

Issues in Language Acquisition and Learning

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2020
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2020
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 24 July 2020
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 25 September 2020

Description

In this course the students will gain a thorough overview of current research in the field of language acquisition and learning and develop an ability to analyse and evaluate critical findings and discussions in the literature on language acquisition pedagogy that inform the design and implementation of curricula for learning contexts. Students will compare and contrast a range of approaches to teaching additional languages, curriculum and syllabus design, and evaluating and designing appropriate materials to meet the diverse language learning needs of students in a range of educational settings. Students will investigate and critically analyse problematic aspects of language acquisition and learning research and consider their relevance to practices and problems in a particular educational setting.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the course will be able to:
1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of current issues in the application of first and second language acquisition research to language teaching and learning contexts.
2. Critically assess research related to various national and international models and programmes for language teaching and learning including ESOL/TESOL, immersion, transitional bilingual programs, 1st language/heritage language maintenance, and language revitalization.
3. Appraise and critically evaluate suggested curricula and language teaching and learning materials for various groups of learners, including text, multi-media and web-based, using appropriate criteria.
4. Identify and explain teaching and learning strategies that support research-informed curriculum-based language learning and emergent bilingualism, regarding indigenous languages, heritage languages, English as an Additional Language and international languages;
5. Research and critically analyse problematic aspects of language acquisition and learning and relate them to practices and problems in a particular educational setting
6. Analyse and explain the varied language needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students in a particular educational setting and compose a research-informed curriculum for their language learning.

Prerequisites

EDEM631 or equivalent knowledge

Restrictions

EDEM632

Timetable Note

Note that these are online webinars. They are recorded for those who cannot attend in real time. You do not have to come to campus.

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Tracey Millin

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Research Bibliography 31 Aug 2020 40% Descriptive analysis of an issue in language acquisition and learning
Critical Essay 19 Oct 2020 60% Critical analysis of a topic of choice

Notes

Course outline/Key content
• Critical exploration of contemporary issues in language acquisition and learning and their application to language teaching;
• Examining national and international models and programmes for language teaching and learning including ESOL/TESOL, immersion, transitional bilingual programs, 1st language/heritage language maintenance, and language revitalization;
• Examining teaching and learning strategies that support research-informed curriculum-based language learning and emergent bilingualism, regarding indigenous languages, heritage languages, English as an Additional Language and international languages;
• Critical reading and evaluation of recent research in language teaching and language pedagogy;
• Investigating and appraising curricula for language teaching and learning;
• Analysing and assessing materials for language teaching and learning;
• Analysing the varied language needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students in a particular educational setting;
• Relating research findings to practices and problems related to language acquisition or learning in a particular educational setting;
• Composing a research-informed curriculum for the language learning needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students in a particular educational setting

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations.

Assessment and grading system

Assessment procedures will follow the policies of the UC College of Education Health and Human Development Assessment Guidelines for Students. These can be accessed at Information for Undergraduate and Graduate Students http://www.education.canterbury.ac.nz/for/undergraduate.shtml.

Assessment for this course in the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) is against defined standards and learning outcomes. Assignments are graded against the UC Common Grading Scale A+ to E. The marks for the assignments will be aggregated for the final grade, based on the assignment weightings.

Grading Scale
Grade    GPA Value        Marks

A+              9            90 – 100
A                8            85 – 89.99
A-               7            80 – 84.99
B+              6            75 – 79.99
B                5            70 – 74.99
B-               4            65 – 69.99
C+              3            60 – 64.99
C                2            55 – 59.99
C-               1            50 – 54.99
D                0            40 – 49.99
E               -1             0 – 39.99

A Pass grade is C- or over for the course.

Students must pass all assessment requirements to obtain a final Pass grade for the course.

Final grades will be determined at an examiners’ meeting at the end of the course and reported using the UC Common Grading Scale.

Attendance

Classes (face-to-face and web-based) are participatory and therefore require full attendance and engagement.

Face-to-face classes
Attendance is required at all scheduled lectures & workshops in order to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

Web-based components
Aspects of the course will be delivered through the Internet and using Learn (Moodle). Students are required to regularly access online materials and resources and participate in online discussions and interactions in order to meet the course learning outcomes.

Professional Practice
Embedded professional practice experiences are a component of the course. While in schools, the same attendance expectations apply for pre-service teachers as for teachers in a school. Students are expected to be present at the school for each school day and participate in school activities in order to meet the course learning outcomes.

Evaluation

The course will be informally evaluated on an ongoing basis, and formal course evaluations take place each year.

Grade moderation

The course assessments will be subject to the usual moderation processes as per section 6 of the University of Canterbury Assessment Policy.

Late submission of work

No work will be marked if it is handed in after the due date without an extension having been granted.

Other specific requirements

Students need to have access to a networked computer or tablet to participate in the online seminars. They will need a headset or equivalent audio equipment (microphone and earbuds) and a webcam.

Requests for extensions

Students are encouraged to plan their work so deadlines are met. Extensions are not granted automatically. Under exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness, accident, bereavement, tangi, or critical personal circumstances) individual students may be granted an extension up to two weeks from the due date of the assignment. An extension request should be made at least two full days before the due date of the piece of assessment in writing either by email or letter. Applications must be supported by relevant evidence (e.g. medical certificate, letter from counsellor). Extensions will not normally be granted because of pressure of university study, e.g. several pieces of work being due around the same time. Students will be notified of the outcome of their extension application via email.

Resubmissions

Resubmissions are not normally permitted.

Special consideration of assessment items

Students may apply for special consideration if their performance in an assessment is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond their control, where:
(a)  they have suffered an acute illness, injury, or other reasonably unforeseeable circumstances:
i.    which has prevented them from completing any major item(s) of work for assessment in a course; or
ii.   which has impaired their performance (including by interruption of pre-assessment revision) to the extent that the result(s) are likely to underestimate their true and evidenced level of mastery of the material in the course;
or
(b)  
i.    they have been selected to perform, compete, adjudicate, or officiate as a national sporting representative at national or international competitions; or
ii.   they are members of a national cultural group on tour nationally or internationally.
Please note that applications must be supported by evidence.  Further details are available at the above link.

Applications for special consideration should be submitted via the Examinations Office website http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/exams/ within five days of the assessment.

Where an extension may be granted for an assessment, this will be decided by direct application to the Course Co-ordinator and an application to the Examinations Office may not be required.

Special consideration is not available for items worth less than 10% of the course and may not be available for some other items of assessment as specified in Course Outlines.  (Refer to specific Course Outlines for this information.)

Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date for withdrawing, may apply for special consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must be submitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for the semester.

NB: This information replaces any previous references to special consideration, Aegrotat or Backdated (Late) Withdrawal in the Course Information System, Learn or Course Outlines. If you are unclear about the implications or process please discuss with your Course Coordinator or contact the Student and Programme Office for assistance.

Course Website

As well as attending classes, it is essential that all students regularly access the course Learn site. All course information such as the course kaupapa, notices, assessment information, required and recommended readings, audio recordings of some lectures, and other teaching resources etc. will be available on this site

Where to submit and collect work

Students will be expected to submit their assessments via the online assessment system in the Learn (Moodle) class site by 5.00 pm on or before the due date. The assessment system will normally automatically put assessment work through the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism.

It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated. (Students who have unreliable internet access are advised to attend to this early in the course to prevent last minute pressures).  

For ICT help call our free call number 0508 UC IT HELP (0508 824 843) or on 03 369 5000. Monday to  Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding public and university holidays).

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,884.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Teacher Education .

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