Language learning and teaching occurs in diverse ways across societies and communication modalities. The Teaching Languages course explores language teaching techniques and methods in a range of instructional contexts, from physical classrooms to technology-mediated or online environments. Students are encouraged to reflect critically on their own language learning and teaching experiences, including those they have during the course. They gain insight on their own and others’ learning and teaching styles and strategies in the process of developing skills as reflective practitioners. Active engagement with peers with diverse disciplinary and language backgrounds is part of this process. Course activities include teaching practice sessions, materials development and resource evaluation. These activities combine theory and research in applied linguistics with language skills and (cross)cultural knowledge to understand and design supportive learning environments for specific groups of learners. The Teaching Languages course develops the capacity for an informed, reflective and context-sensitive approach to language instruction.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand and identify a range of language teaching approaches, principles and techniques;
- demonstrate an awareness of the diverse nature of language learners and contexts of learning;
- observe, analyse and evaluate instructed language learning practices, and reflect on their own and others' teaching practice;
- use, and justify the use of selected language teaching methods and techniques; and
- communicate clearly and knowledgeably about language learning and teaching to general, professional and academic audiences.
Work Integrated Learning
Other
The 'Teaching Languages' course involves assessments in which students plan, deliver and reflect on teaching experience. It is a simulation because students teach each other, but it is a genuine workplace experience because the students are genuine learners of the language being taught. They experience all aspects of class planning, including developing a simulated institutional context and working to a curriculum and the needs of particular age groups. In other assessments, students evaluate teaching practice, e.g., online language courses. These activities are core in the course curriculum and thoroughly integrate theory and practice as they require students to link the practices they experience or observe with theory content from the course and academic literature.
Indicative Assessment
- Engagement tasks (e.g., quizzes, forums, interactive activities, peer responses) (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Case study of a learner or learning context (1,000 words) (15) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Critical reflection on a technology-mediated language learning experience (1,000 words or equivalent) (35) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Practical portfolio, incorporating teaching practice, materials, rationale, and reflection with peer input (1,500 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks, and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.