Course Title: Investigate current issues

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: HUSO5153

Course Title: Investigate current issues

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4244 - Certificate IV in ESL (Employment / Professional)

Course Contact : Baia Tsakouridou

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4488

Course Contact Email:baia.tsakouridou@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Caroline McEnroe 94.3.22 email: caroline.mcenroe@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit develops skills of learners to investigate current issues. The unit also provides the learner with the skills and knowledge necessary to access and use computers for language learning.

This unit is part of a full time integrated academic preparation program. It aims to provide you with the cultural understanding, advanced English language and study skills to participate in further study contexts.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	VPAU560 Investigate current issues
Element:	1 Explore a current issue of significance in Australia
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Identify the issue and why it significant 1.2 State the main facts of the issue 1.3Give an opinion on the issue
Element:	2 Explore a current issue of international significance
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Identify the issue and why is significant 2.2 State the main facts of the issue 2.3 Give an opinion on the issue

Learning Outcomes

There are no specific Learning Outcomes for this course.

Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of Certificate IV in ESL (Employment) which is an integrated program. This means that you will study this unit with several other units on the same day. Your program consists of Face to Face teaching and Directed Study. Your program will have a minimum of 8 hours Directed Study per week. You are not required to attend to complete Directed Study, however you are expected to complete all work given and will at times be required to show evidence that the work has been completed in this unit. This is a very important part of your program and we ask that you do 4-5 hours on your non attendance day and at least 1 hour each evening to cover all the units in the program. An outline of your Directed Study is published each week in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.

This unit in part covers the all of the macro skills addressed in the certificate.

Examples of how you will practice and study the units:

LISTENING
You will:
• listen to a range of audio and film and documentary texts
• listen to oral presentations & conversations

• listen and take notes from guest speaker presentations

SPEAKING
You will:
• work in pairs and in small groups
• give a formal oral presentation
• take part in formal and informal discussions

READING
You are encouraged to read a wide range of texts relevant to the study context. You will:
• read, analyse and review complex texts for research purposes
• read current issues texts
• study items in the news every week and compare television and newspaper news

WRITING
In a variety of writing activities, you will improve your sentence structure and learn how to use different writing styles. This will include formal letters, course applications, essays, and short reports. You will:
• take notes from a range of complex texts
• reflect on issues and your own learning
• learn to plan, draft and proofread your work.
• construct formatted texts for study purposes
• become familiar with academic discourse
The revision of important grammatical structures will be incorporated into each activity.

Teaching Schedule

 Program Dates: Mon 4 March – Fri 21 June 2013

Term Break: Fri March – Fri 5 April 2013

Public holidays: Mon 11 March (Labour Day), Fri 29 March (Good Friday),Thur 25 April (ANZAC Day), Mon 10 June 2013
(Queen’s Birthday)

Teaching Schedule: This course will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the program delivery plans
which are updated each week.

This unit is part of Certificate IV in ESL (Employment) which is an integrated program, assessments often cover more than one unit of competency. The units assessment tasks have been highlighted in bold  as seen in the grid.

Teaching Schedule
Cert IV ESL Employment/Professional
 

WEEK	ASSESSMENT HUSO5153 Investigate current issues (VPAU560)	ASSESSMENT EMPL5707 Work Effectively in an Australian workplace (VPAU516)	ASSESSMENT HUSO5152 Locate health and medical information (VPAU559)	ASSESSMENT LANG5616 Analyse and participate in complex conversations (VPAU506)	ASSESSMENT LANG5617 Present and listen to complex oral presentations in an employment or professional context (VPAU518) E1 only	ASSESSMENT LANG5620 Critically read and write formal letters and complex prose texts for professional purposes (VPAU521)	ASSESSMENT LANG5621 Critically read, write and edit complex descriptive texts in a professional context VPAU522)	ASSESSMENT LANG5625 Listen and take notes for research (VPAU527)
1	Library orientation. Program Overview pt B Intro to writing			Explore RMIT
2	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues
3	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues					Assessment: Reading & writing letters E1+2	VPAU 522Critically read,write and edit complex descriptive texts in a prof context E 1234 Changes to OET
4	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues	The Health Industry Task 9			The Health Industry Task 9		Possible Medical Museum Visit (tbc)
5	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues							Assessment Task VPAU 527 Listen and take notes for research Infection Control
6			Asthma Task 10	Asthma Task 10		Assessment: Read complex prose
7	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues		Excursion to RMH or week 10 (tbc)	Assessment task VPAU 518 E1 Demonstrate critical understanding of a range of info from an oral presentation
8			Diagnostic OET ‘Taster’: Speaking		Diagnostic OET ‘Taster’: writing
9	Mid Semester Progress Interviews	Mid Semester Progress Interviews	Diabetes Task 11 Mid Semester Progress Interviews	Diabetes Task 11  Mid Semester Progress Interviews	Mid Semester Progress Interviews	Feedback OET ‘Taster’	Mid Semester Progress Interviews	Mid Semester Progress Interviews
10						Assessment: Write complex prose
11	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues	Cultural Misunderstanding Task 12		Cultural Misunderstanding Task 12
12	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues
13	Formative assessment: Read multiple complex prose on current health issues
14			OET Practice Test: Listening, Reading & Writing am Speaking interviews pm	OET Practice Test: Listening, Reading & Writing am Speaking interviews pm
15						Practice test feedback & analysis. Final tips for sitting the exam

 **The teaching schedule maybe subject to change. Students will be advised via Blackboard and in class should changes occur.

Your program is made up of:
• Orientation
• Learning activities
• Mid semester review
• Guest speakers
• Exit review

All students will be inducted. The induction includes
• Program Guide & Student Diary
• Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Explore RMIT ( an orientation to the university and its services)
• Orientation to RMIT Libraries (library tour & on line catalogue introduction)
• RMIT Online Systems Information Session

Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of
your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.
 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT

There are no set texts in this course, but it is recommended that you bring:

• English-English dictionary (we ask that you do not use a translation dictionary)
• Thesaurus
• Display folder with plastic sleeves
• Highlighter pens
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the Carlton Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)

Overview of Assessment

You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
You may be assessed by:

participation in group discussion,

essays, research reports

oral presentations.

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester, in both oral and written form, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc

Assessment Tasks

Summative assessments:

 

Formative assessments: ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work

Please note:
Assessments tasks will include other courses (Units of competency) from the program.

All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date.
 

Assessment Matrix

Each assessment cover sheet clearly outlines the competencies being addressed in the task in relation to performance criteria. The sum of assessment tasks will cover all units and their elements over a range of occasions. You will be given opportunities to demonstrate competency in a variety of ways throughout the program. You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or student co-ordinator. An assessment matrix will be available on myRMIT

Course Overview: Access Course Overview