Course Title: Use language analysis strategies and study skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: LANG5869

Course Title: Use language analysis strategies and study skills

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3403 - Certificate III in EAL (Further Study)

Course Contact: Baia Tsakouridou and Melanie Reynolds

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254488

Course Contact Email: baia.tsakouridou@rmit.edu.au, melanie.reynbolds@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

 

Caroline McEnroe

caroline.mcenroe@rmit.edu.au

 

Tim Morris

tim.morris@rmit.edu.au

 

 

 

Nominal Hours: 45

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 course is delivered as part of a full time integrated program.

This unit of competency describes language analysis skills and knowledge required by adult learners with language backgrounds other than English. In this unit you will focus on language analysis and application of these skills to the completion of study tasks.
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU22644 Use language analysis strategies and study skills

Element:

1. Discuss key language features related to language learning

Performance Criteria:

1.1

List key grammatical terms used to describe language structure and use

1.2

Locate and discuss examples of language features in spoken and written texts

1.3

Ask and respond to questions about aspects of language structure

Element:

2. Use language reference texts for study purposes

Performance Criteria:

2.1

Locate relevant language reference texts

2.2

Determine type of information required

2.3

Locate relevant sections of the text

2.4

Identify key grammatical terms and abbreviations used

2.5

Apply information as appropriate to edit and refine language use in a range of own written and spoken texts

Element:

3. Analyse language in study texts

Performance Criteria:

3.1

Locate language items in a range of study texts

3.2

Identify language items used to define task requirements

3.3

Assess the significance of the requirements for task completion


Learning Outcomes


The outcomes described in this unit relate to:

The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. They contribute directly to the achievement of Reading 2+ / 3 and Speaking 2+ and Listening 2+
the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of competence for Reading and Oral communication at Level 3.
 


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of Certificate III in EAL (Further Study). This means that you will study this unit with one other unit on the same day; VU22644 (LANG5869) Use language analysis strategies and study skills & VU22642 (LANG5867) Read and write straightforward texts for study purposes. Your program consists of Face to Face teaching and Directed Study. Your program will have a minimum of 4 hours Directed Study per week (two hours of Directed Study Required and two hours of Directed Study Recommended). 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. An outline of your Directed Study is available on Canvas. 

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 opinion texts
  • study items in the news

WRITING
In a variety of writing activities, you will improve knowledge of grammar,  the structure of sentences and paragraphs and organising writing. You will:

  • plan, draft, write and edit paragraphs
  • Use and follow academic referencing
  • keep a writing folio which includes a variety of written texts
  • reflect on issues in the news
  • learn about formal writing styles and referencing
  • learn to plan, draft and proof read work
  • construct formal text for study purposes

The revision of important grammatical structures will be incorporated into each activity.
 


Teaching Schedule

 This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program. It is taught with  VU22642 (LANG5867) Read and write straightforward texts for study purposes. This is Cluster 1 - Read, Write and Grammar Skills 

The assessment tasks will also cover other units within the course. 
   

 Teaching Schedule 

Course dates: 

 Monday 10 February – Friday 12 June 2020 

Mid-Semester Break: Thursday 9 April - Wednesday 15 April (inclusive).  

Public Holidays: Monday 9 March (Labour Day), Monday 8 June (Queens Birthday). 

 

Week 

VU22644 Use language analysis strategies and study skills 

VU22644 

Elements 

VU22642 

Elements 

Reading skills: skimming and scanning 

Structure of a text, grammar used and identifying main ideas 

Writing a short text 

Paragraph structure 

Grammar terminology & resources: Parts of speech & correction code 

Vocabulary in context 

 1 

  

Reading skills: skimming and scanning, main ideas, some details & opinions 

Reading with tenses used 

Take notes: introduce methods 

In class writing composition 

Library orientation focus on 428 collection 

Grammar terminology: conjunctions & linkers 

  

  

Reading and writing paragraphs and topic sentences 

Introduce concepts of plagiarism and paraphrasing 

Introduce Harvard referencing 

Further note taking practice 

Grammar terminology & resources:Auxiliary verbs 

  

  

Reading and writing paragraphs and topic sentences 

Plagiarism and paraphrasing activity 

Harvard reference practice 

In class writing composition(paragraph) 

Vocabulary in context 

Grammar terminology: tenses simple past and present perfect 

  

  

  

  

Plagiarism and paraphrase activity 

Harvard intext reference practice 

CAPOW (evaluate an web site) & take notes 

Grammar terminology:articles, modals of speculation 

Introduce & deconstruct Assessment Task 1 

  

  

  

  

Reading skills:comprehension 

Paraphrasing for taking notes, citing texts using Harvard style 

Vocab in context 

Grammar terminology: future tenses 

Assessment Task 1 submission 

  

  

  

Reading for comprehension 

Proof reading and editing In class writing (paragraph) 

Required grammar for editing: typical mistakes and correction code 

(Assessment task 1 re-submission)

  

  

Paragraph writing in class, proof reading and editing skills 

Harvard referencing 

Email conventions 

Required grammar for editing: typical mistakes and correction code 

Introduce and deconstruct Assessment Task 2 

  

  

 4 

 6 

9A

Reading information & evaluation of sources 

   Easter Break Thursday 9 April- Wednesday 15 April (inclusive).

  

9B

 

Summarising information 

Grammar: verbs with prepositions/ adverbs 

 

 1

2

4

5

 1

2

10 

Reading for fact & opinion 

Summarising & paragraph cohesion 

Evaluation of current issue texts 

Grammar:continuous tenses  

Assessment Task 2 submission 

  

  

  

11 

Paragraph cohesion  

summarising 

Harvard referencing 

Reading skills: fact & opinion 

Vocabulary in context 

Dictionary /thesaurus use  

Grammar: Gerund or infinitive? 

(Assessment task 2 re-submissions)

  

  

  

  

 1 

  

12 

Reading Current Issues 

Paraphrasing practice 

Summarising 

Harvard referencing practice 

Research skills and note taking skills 

Locate researched info skills and note taking skills 

Vocabulary in context 

Model referencing & note taking practice  

In class reading practice for Assessment Task 3 

Grammar: relative pronouns & clauses 

Introduce & deconstruct Assessment Task 3  

  

 1 

  

13 

Further model referencing & note taking practice    

Locating grammar errors in writing 

Grammar: modal verbs 

  

  

14 

Practice outlining paragraphs 

Grammar: passive voice 

Assessment Task 3 submission 

  

  

  

15 

Reading practice: evaluate model paragraphs 

Proof reading and editing practice 

Grammar: reported speech 

(Assessment Task 3 re-submission)

Introduce & deconstruct Assessment Task 4 

  

  

 1 

16 

Evaluating student model paragraphs 

Proof reading and editing practice 

Grammar:student select focus structure or function(self-reflection/diagnosis of weak areas). 

Review & evaluate course skills   

Assessment Task 4 submission 

(Assessment task 4 re-submission session if applicable) 

  

 17 

  Finalise assessments and results, assessment re-sits, end of semester exit interviews 

 

   

  

  

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

The course will be delivered weekly.  

Your program is made up of: 

  • Orientation 
  • Learning activities 
  • Mid semester review 
  • Guest speakers 
  • Excursions 
  • Exit review 

All students will be have an induction into RMIT. The induction includes: 

  • Induction Booklet and presentation 
  • Explore RMIT activity 
  • Orientation to RMIT Libraries 


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:

  • Dictionary/thesaurus
  • Display folder with plastic sleeves
  • Highlighter pens
  • Notebook or loose leaf paper in folder
  • Headphones
  • Laptop computer
     


Overview of Assessment

This course is delivered as 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: paragraph writing, short and extended written responses, discussion, observation, and note taking. 


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://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment 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.

 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Reading and Taking Notes  (Week 6)

In this assessment task, students will read and a Guardian Weekly article and take notes including the main points and important details. You will reference the text using RMIT Harvard referencing style and answer questions regarding the grammar, language and text type. Completing this assessment allows students to demonstrate reading and note taking skills, and understanding of text and grammatical features. Most of this task will be completed in class however, students are required to complete the task in directed study time.

Assessment Task 2: Produce & Edit a Structured Paragraph (Week 10)

In this assessment task students will plan, write, proof read and edit a coherent paragraph about their school experience. Completing this assessment allows students to develop writing and editing skills, analyse language in order to produce a coherent and cohesive straightforward structured paragraph containing a clear topic sentence, a minimum of three supporting sentences and an optional concluding sentence if appropriate. Students will follow conventions of emails and word processing by submitting a final Word.doc paragraph via email.

Assessment Task 3: Produce a Summary with Harvard References (Week 14)

In this assessment task students will outline, plan and write a coherent paragraph about "Active learning". This paragraph will include academic referencing. Completing this assessment allows students to develop writing and editing skills, analyse language in order to produce a coherent and cohesive straightforward structured paragraph containing a clear topic sentence, a minimum of three supporting sentences and an optional concluding sentence if appropriate. Students will follow conventions of Canvas for final submission.

 

Assessment Task 4: Edit, Proof read and Re-write the summary (Week 16)

In this assessment task students will focus on proof reading, editing and re-writing their paragraph about "Active learning". Completing this assessment allows students to develop writing and editing skills, analyse language in order to produce a coherent and cohesive straightforward structured paragraph containing a clear topic sentence, a minimum of three supporting sentences and an optional concluding sentence if appropriate. Students will follow conventions of Canvas for final submission.

 
Formative assessment may also be used: ongoing observations, summaries, paraphrasing and review of student work

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 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 successfully complete this unit you will need to demonstrate that you are competent in each element of the unit/subject assessment in the assessment tasks.

You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or program coordinator. 

Other Information

Attendance
Your course involves participating in face to face classes. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to successfully complete this course.

Student Progress

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.

Student program policy www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress


You will be asked to attend mid-semester and end of semester interviews with relevant teachers and Program Co-ordinator. The interviews are an important part of giving you feedback and supporting you through your program by monitoring your academic progress


Special consideration policy (Late submissions)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Extension www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Special consideration is an assessment adjustment for unexpected circumstances that are outside your control, which:
• have a significant adverse impact on your performance in assessment or
• prevent you from attempting or submitting the assessment. Special Consideration www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy
www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview