Languages and Schools Experience

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

132-152 hours.

A language major, minor, or else a first/advanced language background in Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Indonesian, French, German, and/or Italian. The major/minor may be undertaken concurrent with this subject.

Please contact Russell Cross, r.cross@unimelb.edu.au before enrolling

An intermediate level of communicative competence or higher in Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Indonesian, French, German, and/or Italian.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will provide an understanding of Languages within broader Australian society, through a particular focus on the Languages teaching in Victorian schools through a substantial volunteer experience. The subject includes a placement of 40 hours (approximately 1 day per week) within Victorian state school classrooms, offering an opportunity to collaborate as a language assistant under the guidance of qualified teachers of Languages.

The volunteering placement is supplemented by university-based seminars that will provide insight into the Victorian school system, contemporary approaches to languages teaching and learning, and an understanding of the role of language assistants in supporting Language programs.

Students will have an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired during their course as language assistants in classrooms under the guidance of qualified Language teachers to enhance their understanding of Languages within the Australian community. School allocations will be made under advice from the MGSE Professional Practice Office, and students will complete a report on how they have come to understand the role and purpose of their language (i.e., according to their major, minor, or first/background language) for the society from the perspective of young Australians.

Upon subject completion, students will have completed a school-based project involving regular contact with classrooms as language assistants to gain insight into issues for their language in contemporary Australian society. This will enhance employability skills by having developed a critical understanding of the nature of citizenship and volunteering, as well as developing their skills as global citizens and leaders through significant contribution to the community with a focus on linguistic/cultural diversity.

On completion of this subject, students will:

• demonstrate a greater understanding of language issues as demonstrated through their own school-based projects and the interaction and sharing of information with other students in the subject;
• appreciate how the schools and education systems contributes to Languages in society;
• appreciate the diversity of students within different schools and the impacts on this on Languages and society in general;
• understand the complexity of issues impacting on Languages educations and schools, and what this means for their own Language area;
• have enhanced ability to undertake independent research;
• demonstrate improved self-reflection and practical skills;
• indicate greater appreciation of active citizenship and community leadership issues.

• 500 word individual knowledge and skills development plan, based on the supplied framework Early semester 10%
• 20 minute group presentation summarising placement, including self-reflection and understanding of their Language in relation to society Mid to End Semester (Post-placement) 50%
• 1500 word case study or placement project report based on a specific challenge experienced while working with Languages in schools, and how this was either resolved or led to new learning or understanding about Languages and/or Languages education End Semester 40%
• 100% attendance at school-based placement During semester Hurdle
• 80%+ attendance at university-based coursework During semester Hurdle

Digital readings will be provided through the LMS.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

This subject requires students to demonstrate and improve a range of generic skills. Students will:

• be able to effectively manage themselves, their time and their skills to complete a workplace project through more highly developed planning and organising skills;
• be able to use effective interpersonal and communication skills through interaction with a range of diverse colleagues, supervisors, and students;
• demonstrate improved analytical, problem-solving, research, and report-writing skills through dealing with and incorporating into their reports, a range of issues that emerge within their placement;
• develop an awareness of the legal and ethical frameworks of schools and the education sector.