Unit rationale, description and aim
In order to plan and deliver lessons that promote learner engagement and enhance student learning, intending secondary teachers need a knowledge and understanding of the junior secondary curriculum, along with theoretical frameworks and pedagogical approaches that are emblematic of teaching in their chosen teaching areas.
Pre-service teachers will study the junior secondary English curriculum, including general capabilities, cross-curriculum priorities and other allied materials. They will critique their prior knowledge and experience in the field and how these connect with the scope of the curriculum, identifying opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of teaching English. Pre-service teachers will explore theoretical frameworks associated with teaching and learning in English education. They will learn evidence-based approaches to plan for effective teaching and learning, including embedded literacy and numeracy, and the use of digital technologies. They will learn approaches for engaging learners and to meet the learning needs of diverse students. An introduction to assessment, in particular diagnostic and formative, is undertaken. They will learn to compose good questions, tasks and develop skills to shape the dialogic talk of the classroom. Focusing on the detailed planning of a short series of lessons, pre-service teachers will learn to structure lesson sequences within units of work in order to demonstrate a knowledge of curriculum and learning theory. They will engage in microteaching to practice engaging students and guiding the classroom discourse.
The aim of this unit is for the pre-service teacher to develop their pedagogical content knowledge through becoming familiar with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for teaching English at a junior secondary level.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Plan and devise a structured learning program in j...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically analyse and develop a range of approach...
Learning Outcome 02
Describe, design and evaluate a variety of pedagog...
Learning Outcome 03
Identify and explain the use of linguistic resourc...
Learning Outcome 04
Synthesise and critically reflect upon the profess...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- The pre-service teachers’ prior experience of, and engagement with, English education
- The Australian junior secondary English curriculum, including general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities, focusing on appropriate state/jurisdictional expectations, syllabi and guidelines
- Theoretical frameworks associated with English teaching and learning
- Pedagogical approaches emblematic of English teaching and learning
- Planning and curriculum alignment
- Planning for effective teaching and learning in junior secondary English education
- Differentiated teaching in English
- Needs of learners from diverse cognitive, physical, social and cultural backgrounds
- Needs of learners from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
- Incorporating literacy and numeracy in English teaching
- Digital technologies for teaching/learning in English education
- Conversational, questioning and scaffolding techniques to shape dialogic classroom talk in English education
- Teacher-presented explanations
- An introduction to assessment in junior secondary English education with particular emphasis on formative and diagnostic
- Learning beyond the classroom
- Student welfare and safety in the English education classrooms and typical English teaching/learning environments
- Professional responsibilities and relationships
- Professional associations and continued professional learning
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks and their weightings are designed so that the pre-service teacher can progressively achieve the course learning outcomes and the professional standards. The Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment units in this course focus on pre-service teachers acquiring content knowledge and developing the skills to assimilate conceptual knowledge in order for that knowledge to inform skills that will be applied in practice.
The assessment tasks are sequenced to allow feedback and progressive development. These tasks reflect ‘real world’ school contexts and teaching responsibilities, thereby preparing the pre-service teacher for professional experience placement and one’s role as a teacher.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Lesson Planning Develop three ...
Assessment Task 1: Lesson Planning
Develop three sequential lesson plans that are research-informed, and demonstrate the integration of curriculum, pedagogical, and assessment principles and strategies relevant to the teaching of unit discipline area for a selected Year level between years 7-10. Justify choices made with supporting evidence.
50%
Assessment Task 2 For Assessment Task 2, choose ...
Assessment Task 2
For Assessment Task 2, choose one of the following tasks. It is recommended that you cover Option in your principal teaching area, and Option 2 in your second teaching area.
Option 1 Microteaching portfolio
A video compilation with a mock group of students illustrating approaches to presenting clear explanations, precise instructions, and purposeful questions. A variety of contexts and resources should be considered. Reflect on the process and outcomes.
Option 2 Skills audit and professional learning plan
Conduct an audit of your knowledge and skills in relevant secondary 7-10 curriculum documents and devise a related professional development plan. Reflect on the process and outcomes.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit applies a social constructivist approach to develop the pre-service teacher’s understanding of effective pedagogies through active engagement and collaborative learning. It is designed to build the pre-service teacher’s understanding of teaching strategies to consolidate the learning of content, apply knowledge to problem-solving tasks and develop analytical and evaluating skills. The skills of professional communication and ability to work collaboratively will be practised through group activities and culminating in micro-teaching opportunities. The teaching skills of planning and assessing, and ability to locate and synthesise information, will be developed through designing English lessons. The pre-service teacher will continue to gather and reflect upon evidence of attainment of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: Graduate.
The teaching and learning strategy described above will use an appropriate selection of approaches, including, for example:
- Weekly face-to-face lectures and/or online lectures (synchronous and asynchronous)
- Discussions that promote peer learning
- Microteaching opportunities
- Self-directed reading and research
- Collaborative learning opportunities
The unit is hosted on a Learning Management System (LMS) site with resources and online links, announcements, and a discussion board to post questions and reflections that promote the connection between content and educational experiences.
Mode of delivery: This unit may be offered in different modes to cater to the learning needs and preferences of a range of participants.
Multi-mode
Learning activities are delivered through a planned mix of online and in-person classes, which may include full-day sessions and/or placements, to enable interaction. Activities that require attendance will appear in a student’s timetable.
Online unscheduled
Learning activities are accessible anytime, anywhere. These units are normally delivered fully online and will not appear in a student’s timetable.
ACU Online
In ACU Online mode, this unit is delivered asynchronously, fully online using an active, guided learning approach. Pre-service teachers are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions and receive regular and timely feedback on their learning.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level standards:
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating toDemonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating toOrganise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating toUse curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toDemonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of, and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating toKnow and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating toImplement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating toSet learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating toPlan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating toInclude a range of teaching strategies.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating toDemonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating toDemonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching programs to improve student learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating toIdentify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating toDemonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating toDemonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO4
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating toUnderstand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating toUnderstand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Representative texts and references
Required text(s)
Australian Curriculum https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) www.acara.edu.au
Recommended references
Campbell, R., & Ryles, G. (2018). Teaching English grammar: A handbook for Australian teachers (2nd ed.). Pearson Education Australia.
Derewianka, B., & Jones, P. (2016), Teaching language in context (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Flint, A.S., Kitson, L., Lowe, K., Shaw, K., Humphrey, S., Vicars, M., & Rogers, J. (2020). Literacy in Australia: Pedagogies for engagement (3rd ed.). Wiley.
Gibbons, P. (2018). Bridging discourses in the ESL classroom: Students, teachers and researchers. Bloomsbury Academic.
Henderson, R. (2019). Teaching literacies: pedagogies and diversity (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Hill, S. (2021). Developing early literacy: Assessment and teaching (3rd ed.). Eleanor Curtain Publishing.
Humphrey, S. (2016). Academic literacies in the middle years: A framework for enhancing teacher knowledge and student achievement. Routledge
Macken-Horarik, M., Love, K., Unsworth, L., & Sandiford, C. (2018). Functional grammatics: Re-conceptualizing knowledge about language and image for school English. Routledge.
Moats, L. (2020). Speech to print: Language essentials for teachers (3rd ed.). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Tompkins, G., Smith, C., Campbell, R., & Green, D. (2019). Literacy for the 21st century: A balanced approach (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Winch, G., Holliday, M., Johnston, R.R., Ljungdahl, L., & March, P. (2020). Literacy: Reading, writing and children’s literature (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Wing Jan, L., & Taylor, S. (2020). Write ways (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.