James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2002

ED1421:03

Language and Literacies in Education

Townsville, Cairns, External

HECS Band 1

26 hours lectures, 12 hours tutorials. Semester 1. External, Semester 1 for BEdServ (Childcare) only.

Staff: Dr M Allan (Townsville campus); Mr E Wilson (Cairns campus).

An introduction to the theory and practice of language in education. The subject introduces concepts for discussing and analysing language and discourse, with a central emphasis on how both spoken and written texts work in social contexts. Topics include language and culture, the development of language and literacy; second language learning and classroom talk. There is also a focus on academic writing and critical approaches to media texts.

Learning Objectives:

  1. define key concepts related to language and literacies, language development and use and language functions;
  2. apply strategies for reading, writing and analysing academic texts;
  3. analyse and comment on short transcripts of classroom talk;
  4. analyse and comment on written texts;
  5. describe current approaches in the fields of language, literacy and second language learning.

On-campus assessment by two assignments (50%); examination (50%). BEdServ(Childcare) flexible delivery assessment by four assignments (100%).