Course Title: Read and write complex texts for further study

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: LANG5797

Course Title: Read and write complex texts for further study

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4344 - Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study)

Course Contact: Baia Tsakouridou, Bloss Robertson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4488

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Angela Borrelli 51.2  angela.borrelli@rmit.edu.au

Jane Collins 51.2  jane.collins@rmit.edu.au

Beverley Carlton 51.2 beverley.carlton@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 reading and writing performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required by adult learners with language backgrounds other than English for further study purposes. In this unit you will be focusing on analysing a wide range of complex texts as models for own writing and creating a wide range of texts for further study purposes.

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:

VU21512 Read and write complex texts for further study

Element:

1 Analyse the features of a range of complex written texts relevant to a study context

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Use a wide range of reading strategies to read complex texts
1.2 Identify the context and purpose of complex written texts and the register used
1.3 Determine the role and attitude of the writer
1.4 Analyse the discourse structure of the text

Element:

2 Critically read a complex text

Performance Criteria:

2.1 List the main points or themes, and any implied meanings
2.2 Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of any supporting material
2.3 Describe the writer’s attitude
2.4 Comment on the effectiveness of the text overall
2.5 Respond to the text

Element:

3 Construct a range of complex texts for study purposes

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify the audience and purpose of a complex written text
3.2 Plan and draft text, using genre and conventions appropriate to context and purpose
3.3 Present and support point of view with subsidiary points, reasons and relevant examples
3.4 Link ideas in clear connected text, using a range of cohesive devices
3.5 Proofread and edit text

Element:

4 Review constructed texts against required criteria

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Check criteria for written text
4.2 Examine written text against criteria
4.3 Make adjustments to meet criteria
4.4 Review and adjust text for overall clarity and for final presentation


Learning Outcomes


The outcomes 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 Reading 3/3+ and Writing 3/3+

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 (Further Study). You will study this unit with two 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. An outline of your Directed Study is published each week in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.

The Weekly Program Delivery Plan is a detailed outline of what activities you will be undertaking in each session on a weekly basis. You can access this via Blackboard (Mystudies) on the first day of each teaching week.

This unit in part covers the reading & writing macro skills addressed in the certificate.

Examples of how you will practise and study the units:

READING
You are encouraged to read a wide range of texts relevant to the study context. You will:

  • read opinion texts & extended academic texts
  • study issues in the 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 course applications & essays. You will:

  • learn to locate and record references used
  • reflect on issues and your own learning
  • learn about research for essay 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

 Course dates

17 July – 24 November 2017

Mid-Semester Break:

Monday 25th September – Friday 6th October 2017  

Public Holidays:

Melbourne Cup Holiday Tuesday 7 November 2017

This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program.It is taught with VU21511 (LANG 5801) Read and Write Complex Texts for Research Purposes and VU20746(GEDU 5990) Apply Essential Further Study Skills.

Week VU21512 Read and write complex texts for further study  VU21512 VU21511 VU20746
1

Orientation/Administration: Skills Survey, my RMIT, Blackboard
Learning lab - study

Diagnostic Tasks
 Collaborative learning

Introduce Assessment Task 1 Group summary

Group work

Writing Focus: Topic Sentences and structure

Reading Tutorial

E1

E2

E2

E1

E5

 

2

Preparation for  essay: read & take notes from a range of texts

Model essay- deconstructed

Writing Focus: Paragraphs

Unity and Coherence

Learning Strategies and Contexts

Research

Reading Tutorial

Introduce Assessment Task 3 Expository Essay

E1

E2

E1

E2

E3

E1

E2

E5

3

Learning Strategies and Contexts

Writing focus:

  • Paraphrasing

In text referencing

Reference list

Research

Collaborative learning

Assessment task: Group summary

Group work

 Reading Tutorial

Introduce Assessment Rubric

E1

E2

E3
 

E1

E2

E3
 

E1

E5

4

Writing focus:

  • Paraphrasing
  • Synthesising
  • Summarising

Harvard Referencing

Reading Tutorial

E1


E2

E3

 

E1
 

E2

E3

E4

E3

E4

E5

5

Assessment Task 3: Exposition Essay Plan

 Reading and Writing Focus: Direct Quotes and In-text referencing

 

Grammar Focus: Complex Sentences

Reading Tutorial

E1

E2

E1

E2

E3

E4

E3

E4

E5
 

6

Exposition Essay draft 

Peer editing using rubric

Assessment Task 3 Exposition essay draft submitted to Turnitin

Reading Tutorial

E1

E2

E3
 

E1

E2

E3

E4
 

E3
E4

E5

 

7

Assessment Task 3:Exposition Essay due submit through Turnitin

Library Tour: Database research

Essay structure

Block/point by point

Model essay deconstructed

Reading Tutorial

E3

E4

E1
E2

E3

E4
 

E5

E3


E4
 

E5
 

8

Argumentative essay assessment introduced

Argumentative essay structure:

  • Paraphrasing
  • Synthesisng
  • Summarisng
  • Referencing

Writing focus: reporting verbs

 Reading Tutorial

E1

E2

E3

E4

 

E1
E2
E3             E4
E5
             
E3


E4


E5

 

9

Argumentative essay skills

Research

Reading Tutorial

Revision of paraphrasing, summarising & direct quotes (how to punctuate and correctly reference)

Proof reading and editing

 

 

 

E1

E2

E3

E4
 

E1 E1
10

 

Compare Essays vs Reports:

Collaborative learning

Groups organised

Group work

Content, language , structure

Research Report topic focus

Reading Tutorial

E1
           

E3


 

E5 E5
11

Assessment Task 8: Argumentative essay draft

Peer editing using rubric

Research Report

*Find relevant journal & newspaper articles using databases

*Find books or ebooks using the RMIT Library catalogue

*Record reference details

*Read and Writing Focus Model Report Structure

*Synthesis

 Reading Tutorial

E1

E2

E3

E4

E5 E5
12

Reading and Writing Focus: Paraphrasing

Findings (section of Report)

Research Skills

Reading Tutorial

Assessment Task 8: Argumentative Essay submitted through Turnitin

E1

E2

E3

 

E1

E2

E2

E5

13

Do research for report assessment task:   

Findings (section of Report) 

Interpreting non verbal data, graphs statistics

Discussion

 E1

E2

E1

E2

E5

 

E2

E5

14

Reading and Writing

Focus: discussion (section of Report)

Undertake a  review and edit research report

 

 

 

E3

E4

 

 

 

 

 

 

E1

E2

E3

E4

E5

E2

E5

15

Focus: Introduction (section of Report)

Focus: Abstract (section of Report)

Peer editing using rubric

Assessment Task 12: Research Report draft due

submit through Turnitin

E3

E4
 

E3
E4

E5
 

E2

E5

16

Assessment Task 12:Research Report due - edit & proofread & submit report through Turnitin

E3
E4

 

E3
E4
E5

 

E5
17

Review of academic reading and writing skills

E1

E2

E3

E4

 E1

E2

 E1

E3

**The teaching schedule may be 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
  • Excursions
  • Exit review

All students will be inducted. The induction includes:

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

 

 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:

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


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:

extended written essays
a portfolio investigating study/career pathways.


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 manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

The Student Charter www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/ summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT University student as well as the responsibilities of the university.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1

 


Assessment Tasks

Summative assessments:

 

Assessment Task 1: Group Summary (week 3)

You will be placed in a group. Each group will write a summary on a given topic.

Assessment Task 3: Exposition EssayDraft (week 6); Final Draft (week 7)

You will research, plan and draft an expository essay. The draft will be written in class.The final draft will be submitted via Turnitin

 

Assessment Task 8: Argumentative EssayDraft (week 11);  Final  (week 12)

You will research, plan, draft an argumentative essay. The final draft will be done in class and submitted.

 

Assessment Task 12: Research Report     Draft (week 15); Final  Week 16

This task takes place over several weeks and involves researching a current issue. It involves group research using academic texts and writing an individual report identifying the genre, 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.
 


Assessment Matrix

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. To successfully 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

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:

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