James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2020

ED1421 - Foundations of Language and Literacy in Education

Mixed attendance available only to RATEP students. SP1/2 External available only to External ECE students. SP81 - 86 available only to Online BEd ECE and Primary students.

Subject Description

This subject is an introduction to concepts of language and literacy to develop personal and professional literacies for teaching across the curricula. Preservice teachers will develop their own academic and personal literacies, while developing an understanding of contemporary theories and practices about language and literacy education for children and adolescents from birth to 18 years. The subject introduces concepts of language development and language use, with an emphasis on how both spoken and written language works in diverse social and cultural contexts, specifically in home and school/pre-school contexts. Preservice teachers will develop introductory knowledge of the Australian Curriculum with a focus on the cross-curriculum literacy priority and introductory understandings of pedagogy for the teaching of reading, writing and oral language use across the curriculum. The subject develops an understanding of the oral, written and interpersonal communication skills required for interaction with diverse stakeholders in and beyond the classroom. A five day professional experience is embedded in this subject to enable observation, reflection and practical implementation of the learning in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate the standards of literacy required of the teaching profession by developing and applying strategies for reading, writing and analysing complex academic texts and oral skills for participating in classrooms and with peers
• Describe and explain key concepts of language and literacy development and learning, contemporary literacy curriculum frameworks and current approaches to language and literacy teaching
• apply knowledge of language and literacy concepts, frameworks and strategies to reflect and inform teaching, learning and interactions with diverse stakeholders in varied contexts

Subject Assessment

• writing task; writing task focusing on applying key concepts and their implications for teaching - (40%)
• Test focusing on introductory topics and personal literacy - (20%)
• Invigilated > Centrally-administered final exam - (40%)

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Satisfactory performance in literacy. The completion of the required consecutive 5 days of Professional Experience AND the submission of a Satisfactory grading - Minimum of Developing Adequately in all descriptors on the Professional Experience Report is a requirement to pass this subject. Attendance at Professional Experience Briefings is an essential component of Professional Experience preparation.

Availabilities