Research Project in L2 Education

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

125 hours. Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

These subjects should be taken concurrently.

Second language teaching experience highly recommended

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, 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 the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will have students apply various traditions in second language educational research to an area of their professional/academic interest. It will be structured around three broad stands of second language education research, including literature, document-based, and practitioner-based approaches. Students will conduct a minor research project, and explore issues in the design of a research project, data collection/analysis, and reporting findings, through collaborative workshops.

On completion of this subject, students will:

• Design a small research project in second language education;
• Conduct a small research project in second language education involving data collection/analysis;
• Report findings on a small research in second language education;
• Critically appraise and give feedback on small scale research in second language education.

Essay based proposal – 2000 words, due early semester, 40 %

Essay based report of findings - 3000 words - due end of semester, 60%

Creswell, J. W. (2008) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3 rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students will:

• Understand a range of research practices more fully;
• Understand the dependence of research results on the methodology and analytical framework employed.
• Develop skills for reporting research findings.