Course Title: Engage in casual conversations and straightforward transactions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: LANG5808

Course Title: Engage in casual conversations and straightforward transactions

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4345 - Certificate IV in EAL (Employment / Professional)

Course Contact : Baia Tsakouridou & Bloss Robertson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254488

Course Contact Email:baia.tsakouridou@rmit.edu.au & bloss.robertson@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Dianne Dell’Oro-Morgan 94.3.22 Dianne.Dell’Oro-Morgan@rmit.edu.au
Wendy Joseph 94.3.22 Wendy.Joseph@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

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 backgrounds other than English. The focus of this unit is on listening and speaking skills in English to participate effectively in casual conversations and discussions on a range of topics, and to engage in straightforward transactions.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU21465 Engage in casual conversations and straightforward transactions

Element:

1 Participate in casual conversations

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Initiate conversation using appropriate opening expressions and conventions
1.2 Contribute comments, opinions or information on a range of everyday topics
1.3 Give detailed responses
1.4 Use a range of conversational strategies
1.5 Clarify misunderstandings and ambiguous points where necessary
1.6 Close conversation using customary steps

Element:


2 Participate in a range of straightforward transactions

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Initiate a straightforward transaction and make request or state problem clearly.
2.2 Give detailed explanation
2.3 State desired outcome
2.4 Identify suggestions or solutions offered
2.5 Respond to suggestions or solutions offered
2.6 Clarify outcome/result or follow up action where necessary

Learning Outcomes


This unit applies to participants using speaking and listening skills in English in a range of informal and formal situations. The situations in which these skills are applied are varied, and can be related to contexts such as social and community life, everyday commerce and recreation, workplaces, and vocational or study-related fields.

The outcome described in this unit relate to:
 

  • The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Speaking and Listening. They contribute directly to the achievement of ISLPR Speaking 3+ and Listening 3+and

 

  • the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). http://www.deewr.gov.au/SKILLS/PROGRAMS/LITANDNUM/ACSF/Pages/default.aspx. They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of competence in Oral Communication at Level 4.


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of Certificate IV in EAL (Employment/Professional) 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 speaking and listening macro skills addressed in the certificate.
Examples of how you will practice and study the units
 

LISTENING

You will:

  • listen to videos and audio tapes
  • take part in conversations
  • listen to talks and lectures


SPEAKING

You will:

  • work in pairs and in small groups
  • participate in role plays to practice dialogues that simulate conversations between health professionals and patients
  • take part in formal and informal discussions
  • evaluate your own work


Teaching Schedule

 

Program dates

29th July-14th November, 2014

Public Holiday
Melbourne Cup Day 4th November, 2014

Mid Semester break
29th September - 3rd October, 2014
 

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 EAL (Employment) which is an integrated program, assessments often cover more than one unit of competency.

This unit is clustered with   VU21493 Give and follow a range of complex instructions in an employment contextLANG 5805 and VU21474 Analyse and participate in complex Conversations (LANG5804)

Teaching Schedule
Cert IV EAL Employment/Professional 
 

Week  VU21465 Engage in casual conversations and straightforward transactions VU21465 VU21474 VU21493
1

Introductions Speaking exercise--sharing professional experiences
Informal assessment of speaking skills Needs analysis-course @student expectations
OET Overview of speaking test Analysis of speaking scenarios

 1 2

 1

2
2 Health Facilities/Services and Professionals
Outline including vocab/pronunciation
Overview pronunciation/stress in English Language

1

2

1

2

  1
3 Branches of Medicine-overview. Speaking scenarios-smoking/dental. Immunization-overview /services available. Speaking scenarios-related to immunisation
 

1

2

2

3

4

 

  1
4 Common abbreviations used in the health profession
Speaking scenarios-smoking related to pregnancy/dental decay.
Health Industry Assessment-access information from given websites.
Present information to classmates

1

2

1

2

3

  1
5 Arthritis/Osteoarthritis-overview
Pain related to above conditions
Treatment and medication
Speaking scenarios related to pain and pain relief associated with Arthritis
 

1

2

1

2

3

  1
6 Topic-Asthma-A&P,
Aetiology and treatment-including medications and emergency treatment
Research-specific websites followed by assessment task
Speaking scenarios related to give patients advice
Dental-speaking scenario reassurance and information re dental care
 

1

2

1

2

3

  1
7

Task 9 Informal and formal presentation in a health related context 1.

Common cold-Care and treatment.
Mouth Ulcers-advice and care
News article related to common cold-review
News article - immunisation in children
Speaking scenarios related to common cold.
Giving patients advice.

 1

2
 

 1

2

3

4
 

  1
8 Speaking scenarios-practice and analysis over a range of professional areas and topics
Interviews
Euthanasia-news article followed by discussion
 		 1

2
 

 1

2

3

4
 

  1
9 Topic Heart Disease
Treatment, Emergency RX,
Access given websites and complete worksheet
Prepare for speaking scenario
Giving patient advice - speaking scenarios/mini test
 		 1

2
 

1

2

3

4

  1
10

Task 10 Informal and formal presentation in a health related context 2. (Week 10)

Medications
Overview and delivery
Specific Terminology
News reading and discussion
Speaking scenarios-range of professions

 1

2
 

1

2

  1
11 Diabetes
Overview and specific care
News reading and discussion
Related medications
Dental care and diabetes
Speaking scenarios related to diabetes
 		 1

2
 

1

2

3

4

 1

2
12 Communication with patients-reassurance
News reading -Pain news
Colloquial and idiomatic language
Cultural assessment
Speaking scenarios- Breaking bad news
Spinal injury
Oral cancer		 1

2
 

1

2

 1

2
13 Musculo-skeletal system
A&P review, conditions and treatment
Types of fractures and plaster care
Speaking scenarios related to fracture 
 		 1

2
 

 1

2

3

4
 

 1

2
14 Health professional/pt communication
Variety of speaking scenarios
Skin cancer - overview and scenario
Menopause - overview and scenario		 1

2
 

1

2

3

4

 1

2
15  

 1

2

  

 

 

**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 achievements of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
 

  • Third party observation & feedback  of face-to-face communication & role plays, 
  • presentations,
  • verbal questioning to confirm linguistic, socio-linguistic & cultural knowledge used in straightforward oral communication.


Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, 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/kh6a31y2wi2hl.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, polices and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=1n1kd66y87rc


Assessment Tasks

Assessment will take place throughout the course. Your work is assessed on a competent (CA)/not yet competent (NYC) basis -  it is not graded. You will be given written feedback on all assessment tasks. There will be individual and group projects completed both in and out of class.
Assessment is ongoing and its purpose is to develop your skills. You will be given assistance in redrafting and editing written assessment tasks because developing your ability to identify and correct your own mistakes is an important part of the learning process. It is important that you read the specific elements each assessment task addresses on the cover sheet for each task. At the time of setting assessments you will be given clear guidelines about which course, elements and performance criteria you will need to meet in order to successfully complete the task. Submission dates & deadlines will also be clearly explained.
 

Assessment tasks: Summative

 

Task 9 Informal and formal presentation in a health related context 1. (Week 7)

  • Participate in a role-play in a medical context e.g Doctor-patient, Dentist-patient, Nurse-patient etc.
  • listen to a medical consultation, take notes and analyse the language features.
  • watch a video clip of a health professional and a patient and analyse verbal and non-verbal communications skills in a professional/medical context.

Task 10 Informal and formal presentation in a health related context 2. (Week 10)

  • Participate in a role-play in a medical context e.g Doctor-patient, Dentist-patient, Nurse-patient etc.
  • listen to a medical consultation, take notes and analyse the language features.
  • watch a video clip of a health professional and a patient and analyse verbal and non-verbal communications skills in a professional/medical context. 

Formative assessments: ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work
 Diagnostic OET ‘Taster’: Speaking


Assessment Matrix

Assessment Matrix
Each assessment cover sheet clearly outlines the competencies being addressed in the task in relation to the required skills and knowledge. 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. To sucessfully complete this unit you will need to demonstrate that you are competent in each element of the unit/subject on at least two occasions.

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