Course Title: Australian Environment
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
Course Code: HUSO5164
Course Title: Australian Environment
School: 360T Education
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C2180 - Certificate II in ESL (Access)
Course Contact : Bloss Robertson, Soosan Kian
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254488, +61 3 99259494
Course Contact Email:bloss.robertson@rmit.edu.au,soosan.kian@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
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
This unit must be co-delivered and assessed with at least one of the language (Listening and Speaking or Reading and Writing) units from the Certificates in ESL.
Course Description
This module aims to familiarise learners who are speakers of languages other than English with the Australian environment and the language required to describe a range of environmental features. The module is included as an elective for use at different levels of the Certificates in ESL Framework. It may be contextualised to suit the needs and skills of learners in courses from Certificate I to Certificate IV.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VPAM543 Australian Environment |
Learning Outcomes
The outcomes described in this unit relate to:
• Performance criteria of all four elements
• The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Reading and Writing. They contribute directly to the achievement of ISLPR Reading 2 and Writing 2
• The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of Reading and Writing competence at Level 2
Details of Learning Activities
This unit is part of Certificate II in ESL (Access) 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.
Teaching Schedule
Teaching Schedule
This is an 18 week program:
Program Dates: Mon 6 February – Fri 15 June 2012
Term Break: Mon 9 April – Fri 13 April 2012
Public holidays: Mon 12 March (Labour Day), Fri 6 April (Good Friday)Wed 25 April (ANZAC DAY) Mon 11 June 2012 (Queen’s Birthday)
Your program is made up of:
Orientation
Learning activities
Mid semester review
Guest speakers
Excursions
Exit review
Orientation is part of the introduction of the integrated program of the second language acquisition.
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
There are no prescribed texts but it is recommended that students avail themselves of the many ESL resources available in the RMIT Library. |
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 Brunswick 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 classwork, projects, reports, observation,self assessment, participation in excursions, oral questioning and mid semester interview.
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
Competency Based Assessment:
A student must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency 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. Students will be provided with more than one opportunity to demonstrate competence.
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.
The tasks will include:
Observation of a spoken contribution / oral presentation
A portfolio of written tasks
field trip reports
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.
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 occassions. You will be given opportunities to demonstrate competency in a variety of ways throughout the progrm. You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or student co-ordinator.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview