TESOL at the University of South Australia
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a
specialisation in several Education awards in the University of South
Australia, from Bachelor awards to Doctoral awards.
This specialisation involves teacher education for Teaching English as a
Second Language (TESL) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). It
is thus designed for teaching in many different settings around the world,
including immigrants and international visitors in Australian settings.
Our TESOL courses provide both theoretical and practical learning
opportunities for becoming an accomplished TESOL practitioner in such
settings. They have a strong focus on learners and their learning, on
teaching methodology, curriculum development, assessment and applied
linguistics.
Students in our courses are typically from Australia and the Asia-Pacific
region, but also from North and South America, Europe and Africa. Most
courses are available online as well as internally.
TESOL specialisations tells you what
TESOL is offered in different programs and who the TESOL specialisation
coordinator is for each program
TESOL teacher education principles describes the
basis of TESOL at this University
TESOL staff introduces the core teaching staff for TESOL
TESOL can be undertaken as a specialisation in several awards at the
University of South Australia, ranging from Bachelor of Education to
Doctoral awards.
Our two most popular coursework awards, in Australia and internationally,
are the
Master of Education (TESOL) and the
Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL).
Three postgraduate research degrees exist for TESOL students. Two are solely
by thesis – the
PhD
program and the
M.Ed. (Research) program. The other – the
Professional Doctorate
program – involves 50% coursework and 50% project and thesis work. We have
had research students from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Canada,
Italy, England and Australia.
TESOL is also available as a specialisation in pre-service Education awards
at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These
include the
Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle)
and the Master
of Teaching (Middle and Secondary)
programs.
TESOL Teacher Education
Principles
At the University of South Australia we take an inquiry-based approach to
the education of TESOL professionals, emphasising the importance of teachers
as researchers in their own local contexts of language education. This is
consistent with the learner-centred approach also adopted. The focus is on
language and language learning as a social practice, and on TESOL curriculum
as a locally grounded decision-making process. These two perspectives
provide for TESOL practice which is firmly grounded in understandings of
both theory and local context.
Studies in TESOL provide a conceptual base for the professional extension of
teachers' experience. The development of component courses is based on the
following key principle
§
an investigative approach to language learning and teaching
§
a view of language and language development as primarily social
and cultural
§
a respect for learners' individual and collective resources, needs
and interests
§
reflection on practice and an issues-based approach to learning
about teaching
§
engagement with intercultural learning
Associate Professor
Jill Burton
retains an adjunct position with the School of
Education and has taught and published on teacher development, teacher
research, TESOL curriculum, and discourse analysis. She is Series Editor of
Case Studies in TESOL Practice for TESOL in the States, and of
Making Sense of Language published by AEE; and is on the editorial
boards of AJELT, EA Journal, Prospect, and TESOL in
Context. She continues to offer
her expertise to TESOL staff and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students.
Dr
Jenny Barnett
is a Senior Lecturer in TESOL working across all program levels, and taking
responsibility for the TESOL specialisation at Graduate Certificate level.
She has taught EFL and ESL in Australia, France, Indonesia and Papua New
Guinea, and has been working in teacher education for many years. Her
research and teaching interests include the place of language in teachers’
work across the curriculum, ESL-EFL curriculum development and evaluation,
and how learning communities and cultures shape language development.
Dr
Zheng Lin
is the TESOL Specialisation Coordinator for the Master of Education
program and a Senior Lecturer in TESOL. He has taught EFL and ESL in China
and Australia, and has been working in teacher education for more than 20
years. His research interests include ESL/EFL education especially with
beginners in an e-Learning environment, ESL/EFL Reading comprehension and
factors that affect reading comprehension and assessments in TESOL.
Mr
Greg Restall
is a Lecturer in TESOL and Specialisation Coordinator for TESOL in
pre-service Education awards. He has taught EFL and ESL in China and
Australia and has been working in teacher education since 2000. He has
taught on teacher education programs in TESOL Education, Languages Education
and ICT Education at various levels both locally and overseas. His research
interests include: how new web-based learning environments can support
learning, particularly amongst international students; how language learners
make sense of texts (spoken, written and multimodal) based on the
socio-cultural contexts and social purposes of the texts; and language
curriculum development processes in a range of teaching contexts.
Additional
part-time staff members join this core group every year, depending on
student cohorts. This year, sessional staff includes Dr
Michele de Courcy and
Ms
Anne Swan.
MMEU Master of
Education (TESOL)
The Master of
Education (Specialisation) aims to develop a critical understanding of and
engagement with current theories, research, debates and practices in a
variety of educational fields and education sectors through a series of
courses or courses plus research.
The program
consists of 36 units made up of different courses. Please check the MMEU
website for entry requirements and details of the program structure.
To graduate
from the Master of Education with a TESOL specialisation, students should
choose courses listed under the TESOL specialisation with a total of at
least 18 units. 36 units of TESOL is also possible, and is highly
recommended.
The four core
TESOL specialisation courses are EDUC 5109, EDUC 5110, EDUC 5111 and EDUC
5112:
1. Learning English as a Second or Foreign Language
(4.5 units)
Course ID: 100948;
Area & Catalogue No: EDUC 5109
This course is
designed to develop a deep understanding of concepts in learning English as
a second/foreign language, the processes and factors involved, and their
implications for TESOL. On completion of this course students should be able
to:
§
appreciate the
multi-contextual nature of ESL/EFL learning as a socio-cultural activity
§
analyse
structures and functions of English in TESOL
§
understand
common learning motivations and attitudes in ESL/EFL
§
investigate
learners individual and collective resources for ESL/EFL learning
2. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language
(4.5 units)
Course ID: 100949;
Area & Catalogue No: EDUC 5110
This course is
designed to investigate and develop rationales for practices and resources
in teaching and assessing ESL/EFL in particular educational contexts. On
completion of this course students should be able to:
§
analyse an
educational context and its supports and constraints for ESL/EFL learning
and teaching
§
provide and
expand learning opportunities for ESL/EFL through a range of pedagogies to
cater for identified learner needs
§
take a
principled approach to evaluating and developing assessment activities,
procedures and materials for use in particular educational contexts
3. Language and Culture in TESOL
(4.5 units)
Course ID: 100950;
Area & Catalogue No: EDUC 5111
This course is
designed to develop an understanding of core concepts in language and
culture, and their relationship and implications for TESOL pedagogy in
diverse contexts. On completion of this course students should be able to:
§
understand
language and culture in relation to TESOL
§
reflect
critically on the contextual impact of language and culture on TESOL
pedagogy
§
analyse
discursive activities in a TESOL context
4. Curriculum and Evaluation in TESOL
(4.5 units)
Course ID: 100951;
Area & Catalogue No: EDUC 5112
This course is
designed to critique and conceptualise curriculum design and evaluation in
TESOL. On completion of the course, students should be able to:
§
critique TESOL
curriculum expressed in curriculum policies and frameworks
§
develop and
apply principles of curriculum design to the development of TESOL programs
to suit particular learners and learning contexts
§
design
evaluation procedures for TESOL programs and processes from diverse
stakeholder perspectives.
The other TESOL
specialisation courses are EDUC 5033, EDUC 5082, EDUC 5030 and EDUC 5032:
Research Methods and Issues in Language and Literacy Education (9
units)
Course ID: 100948;
Area & Catalogue No: EDUC 5033
This course is
designed for students studying in language and literacy education, including
teachers of English and literacy in school and post school settings;
teachers of English to speakers of other languages and foreign language
teachers. It provides:
§
an introduction to issues in educational research with a focus on
the needs of practitioner researchers
§
support for students to learn how to design and carry out an
independent research investigation in their own context
Project in Language Education
(9 units)
Course ID: 009236;
Area & Catalogue No: EDUC 5030
Students
undertake a project which may take a variety of forms such as a resource in
language and literacy education or classroom research. One option might be
the development of a set of learning materials, a film or video, a set of
tests, a curriculum guide, or text book which reflect clear understanding of
the field and are critically evaluated. Another option might be an
investigation into an aspect of language or literacy education as it applies
to the student’s own educational setting. On completion of this course
students should be able to:
§
define an area
of personal/professional interest and need
§
determine and
define a problem and develop it into a question for investigation or a plan
for the production of an education resource
§
prepare a
rationale for a project which reflects an understanding of the problem/
issue/question and the literature surrounding it
§
undertake an
investigation or develop a curriculum product/pedagogical approach
§
critically
reflect upon and evaluate both the process and the outcome of the project
|
Study Period
2 |
Study Period
5 |
|
EDUC 5109 |
EDUC 5110 |
|
EDUC 5111 |
EDUC 5112 |
|
EDUC 5033 |
EDUC 5030 |
|
EDUC 5043
(only if advised) |
EDUC 5044
(only if advised) |
The TESOL
Specialisation Coordinator for the Master of Education is
Dr Zheng Lin
LCAV Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL)
The Graduate
Certificate in Education (TESOL) is for people requiring an initial
professional TESOL qualification, either for the adult sector or the school
sector. Teacher registration is required for employment in the school
sector.
While some
candidates may have considerable TESOL experience, experience is not
essential. The program anticipates some candidates planning to transfer into
the TESOL field, and builds in requirements for observation and also a
practicum designed to meet industry expectations. This program thus provides
a pathway to the TESOL specialisation in the Master of Education.
The Graduate
Certificate in Education (TESOL) is part of the Graduate Certificate in
Education (Specialisation). The program consists of 18 units made up of four
courses. Please check the LCAV website for entry requirements and details of
the program structure.
The courses in
the TESOL Graduate Certificate specialisation are:
EDUC 4168
Second Language Learning (4.5 units)
The course aims
to develop a clear understanding of what it means to know and learn a second
language and culture, how various factors affect second language learning,
and the role of instruction in that process.
EDUC 4115
Approaches and Strategies in TESOL (4.5 units)
Students will
gain an understanding of different approaches and strategies in teaching
English as an additional language and develop skills in evaluating, adapting
and designing pedagogical practices that are socially and culturally
responsive to particular circumstances.
EDUC 4159
Curriculum Development for Second Language Learning (4.5 units)
Students will
engage with principles and practices for designing language and culture
curriculum that is grounded in a sound theory of language teaching, a
recognition of the policy contexts, and an appreciation of learner
diversity.
EDUC 5114
Critically Reflective Practice in TESOL (4.5 units)
The aim of this course is to develop a specialist identity as a teacher,
and the capacity to theorise about TESOL practice in critical and systematic
ways. The course provides a practicum in accordance with industry
requirements.
The TESOL
Specialisation Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate is
Dr Jenny Barnett.
LBPM Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle)
LMTC Master of Teaching (Middle and Secondary)
The Bachelor of
Education (Primary and Middle) is for undergraduates requiring an initial
teacher education qualification in the primary school and lower secondary
school sector. The Master of Teaching (Middle and Secondary) is for
graduates requiring an initial teacher education qualification in the
secondary school sector. Please check the LBPM and LMTC websites for entry
requirements and details of the program structures.
TESOL may be
undertaken as a minor specialisation within these programs, for which
employing authorities require a minimum of 3 TESOL courses and a practicum
component. The three TESOL courses are:
EDUC 4168
Second Language Learning
(4.5 units)
The course aims
to develop a clear understanding of what it means to know and learn a second
language and culture, how various factors affect second language learning,
and the role of instruction in that process.
EDUC 4115
Approaches and Strategies in TESOL
(4.5 units)
Students will gain an understanding of different approaches and
strategies in teaching English as an additional language and develop skills
in evaluating, adapting and designing pedagogical practices that are
socially and culturally responsive to particular circumstances.
EDUC 4159
Curriculum Development for Second Language Learning
(4.5 units)
Students will
engage with principles and practices for designing language and culture
curriculum that is grounded in a sound theory of language teaching, a
recognition of the policy contexts, and an appreciation of learner
diversity.
A fourth course
option is available for the LBPM program.
The TESOL
Specialisation Coordinator for the pre-service Education programs is
Greg Restall.