EDF5634 · Understanding language and learning

Overview

This unit is an introduction to the study of language. It explores key theories on the nature of language and covers a range of linguistic, sociocultural and political/ideological perspectives on language learning. In this unit you will reflect on ideas around language-as-system and language-as-practice and more broadly, on the communicative repertoires of speakers. The unit recognises the complexity of language use in the contemporary world and engages with recent developments in bi/multilingualism. You will explore how language is learnt both in formal and informal settings. Opportunities will be provided for you to apply knowledge gained in the unit to your own experiences and to critically analyse your views of language and learning.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. demonstrate an understanding of key theories of - and perspectives on - language
2. apply relevant theories to your experiences with language
3. demonstrate an understanding of different kinds of language learning settings
4. apply an understanding of various dimensions of communication to your lived experiences with education
5. critically evaluate different ways of facilitating language learning in a range of contexts.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • a total of 24 hours of scheduled learning. These will typically include 18-24 hours of on-campus regular directed learning activities, with any remaining hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities and self-directed/independent study OR • a total of 24 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities, and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study^ ^ International students studying in Australia are not permitted to undertake this scheduled learning delivery mode

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.