Course Title: Use a range of critical reading and writing skills for further study
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2013
Course Code: LANG5630
Course Title: Use a range of critical reading and writing skills for further study
School: 360T Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4245 - Certificate IV in ESL (Further Study)
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
Melanie Kyle 94.3.16 email: melanie.kyle@rmit.edu.au
Tim Morris 94.3.16 email: tim.morris@rmit.edu.au
Melanie Reynolds 94.3.16 email: melanie.reynolds@rmit.edu.au
Caroline McEnroe 94.3.22 email: caroline.mcenroe@rmit.edu.au
Betty Koklanis 94.3.16 email: betty.koklanis@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 40
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 of competency describes speaking and listening performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required by adult learners with language background other than English. The focus of this unit is on advanced listening and speaking skills in English to participate in further study contexts, focusing on responding to a
wide range of complex verbal instructions, interpreting and discussing ideas and opinions with others in informal contexts and negotiating a complex exchange.
This unit is delivered as part of an integrated academic preparation program.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VPAU533 Use a range of critical reading and writing skills for further study |
Element: |
1. Identify the topic and purpose of complex verbal instructions |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Determine the purpose of a range of further study texts containing instructions or advice |
Element: |
2. Participate in a sustained informal interaction with a group |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Outline the purposes, design and conventions of a range of formatted documents required in a further study context |
Element: |
3. Identify the context, purpose and conventions for presenting a proposal or arguing a case |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Clarify the purposes of the formatted texts and the information required |
Learning Outcomes
The outcomes described in this unit relate to:
- The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Reading and Writing. They contribute directly to the achievement of ISLPR Reading 3/3+ and Writing 3/3+
and
- the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of Reading and Writing competence at Level 4
Details of Learning Activities
This unit is part of Certificate IV in ESL (Further Study) 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 reading and writing macro skills addressed in the certificate.
Examples of how you will practice and study the units:
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
WRITING
In a variety of writing activities, you will improve your sentence structure and learn how to use different writing styles. This will include course applications, essays, and reports. You will:
• do a research project
• take notes from a range of complex texts
• learn to locate and record references used
• • learn about research and report writing
• 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 22 July – Fri 6 December, 2013
Term Break: Mon 23 September – Sun 6 October 2013
Public holidays: Tue 5 November (Melbourne Cup Day)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 of competency is taught within an integrated program.This unit is clustered with VPAU The assessment tasks have been put in bold to match the unit of competency. The assessment tasks will also cover other units within the course
| Week | VPAU 533 Texts for research & critical reading and writing skills |
|
1 22 July |
Orientation/admin Welcome Lunch Diagnostic tasks Start Employability Skills Project |
|
2 29 July |
Vocabulary building & practice
Paragraph writing skills: topic sentences & structure |
|
3 5 August |
Preparation for essay assessment: topic sentences, transition signals, exposition essay structure, essay model |
|
4 12 August |
Employability Skills Project |
|
5 19 August
|
Preparation for essay writing assessment: • Paraphrasing • ‘issues’ language practice |
|
6 26 August |
Exposition essay assessment |
|
7 2 September |
|
|
8 9 September |
Texts for research & critical reading and writing skills Critical & efficient reading skills Practice critical reading using For & Against text |
|
9 16 September |
Mid semester interviews |
|
10 23 September |
Text types, structure and features Compare news stories from about current issues topic |
|
11 10 October |
Argumentative Essay assessment task |
|
12 17 October |
Texts for research & critical reading and writing skills |
|
13 24 October |
Reporting verbs & nouns |
|
14 7 November
|
|
|
15 14 November |
Research Report assessment task |
|
16 21 November |
Research Report in Microsoft Word document |
|
17 28 November |
Group oral presentations (assessment task): |
|
18 6 December
|
**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
• Excursions
• 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
This course is part of a full-time integrated program. 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 notetaking, summaries,essays and research reports.
Feedback:
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class both oral and written, 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:
Assessment Task 1: Employability Skills Project Due: Weeks 3&4
- This task involves focusing on employability skills and involves researching future career prospects with online guides such as TAFE or university websites or the Job Guide. It involves preparing and planning an individual oral presentation of 5 minutes outlining why an individual should be selected. The task will also encourage reflection with opportunities for peer and self-evaluation after the presentation.
Assessment Task 4: Produce a Learning Plan and Portfolio Due: Week 7
- This is an ongoing task for students to investigate pathways for further study. It encourages self-reflection by analysing learning styles, SWOT analysis and identifying opportunities for skills development and setting and maintaining study goals and the writing of a personal history statement for further study pathways including VTAC. The evidence should be collected and presented in a portfolio.
Assessment Task 10: Group Research and Write and Individual Report investigating current issues Due: Week 16
- This task takes place over several weeks and involves an in depth investigation of a current issue affecting Australia. It involves group research using academic texts and writing an individual report identifying the issue, the key facts and discussing the research. The group research involves group meetings and minute taking and academic research using a variety of text types and summarising.
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