James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

ED2001:04

Language Arts for the Young Child

Townsville

Inadmissable Subject Combination: ED2092

26 lectures, 13 tutorials. First semester flexible delivery only.

Available to all BEdServ (Child Care) students only.

Staff: Dr G Ward (Townsville campus).

The focus is on teaching English language to children 3 to 8 years of age, building on a critical language awareness model using current curriculum documents. Topics include contemporary literacy instructional models; modelling; age level appropriateness; competence; language diversity and appropriate ways of accommodating such variety. The emphasis is on language in context and the teaching of oral and written English expression and comprehension within linguistically disparate classrooms.

Learning Objectives:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literacy instructional models and begin to formulate a personal model for professional practice within a framework of critical thought and instructional practice;
  2. demonstrate a knowledge of age appropriate language skills within the context of the early childhood setting and ways of enhancing the further development of such skills;
  3. demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity and language difference and describe ways of accommodating such diversity in the early childhood setting including programs of instruction, assessment and reporting.

Assessment by writing folio (40%); workshop presentation (25%); examination (35%).