59712 Australian Language Studies

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Subject level:

Undergraduate and Postgraduate

Requisite elaboration/waiver: Non-English-speaking background international, exchange or study abroad students who meet the requisite English proficiency score (IELTS: 5.0-6.0 overall with a writing score of 5.0; TOEFL: paper based: 510-550 overall with TWE of 3.0, internet based: 35-78 overall with a writing score of 14)

Description

This subject is designed for international students as part of an Australian Language and Culture Studies program. The subject aims to develop students' oral and written English, and their sociolinguistic awareness of Australia, through the study of a range of topics related to Australian society and culture. The subject also provides an overview of the Australian education system and introduces the key genres relevant to participation in an Australian tertiary education environment. Students who have successfully completed this one-session.subject are eligible to audit a mainstream FASS subject in their second session.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

As this is a stand-alone subject and not part of a specific degree program, the subject engages with the following

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Attributes:

1. Professional Readiness

2. Critical and Creative Inquiry

3. International and Intercultural Engagement

5. Active Citizenship

6. Effective Communication

Teaching and learning strategies

Preparation for classes

Students will be expected to (1) preview material either posted to UTS Online or provided in class the week before, and (2) have completed any homework tasks, such as a reading comprehension task, a writing skills development task, or preparation for a speaking task.

In-class activities

The in-class activities will feature of mix of:

lecturer input on language systems and language macro-skills, notably in response to student achievement on set tasks

individual student practice of listening, reading and writing skills through concrete and in-context tasks

interactive student discussion of how to best approach set tasks

collaborative writing activities where appropriate

peer feedback on writing

interactive speaking practice activities

interactive student evaluation of task achievement.

Post-class activities

Students will be expected to complete short language skills development tasks that consolidate and extend activities done in class.

Content (topics)

The content in this subject includes texts and activities relevant to entry and participation in an Australian tertiary education environment.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Critical listening and reading

Assessment task 2: Short essay

Assessment task 3: Short interview

Minimum requirements

Attendance at weekly classes is important for this subject because it is based on the interchange of ideas with other students and with the lecturer. Students must attend at least 9 of the 11 classes. Students who do not meet this attendance requirement will not have their final assessment task (Short interview) marked.

As each assessment task evaluates a unique subject learning objective, students must pass each assessment task In order to pass the subject.

References

Australia Network n.d. Study English: IELTS preparation, viewed 28 January 2015, http://australianetwork.com/studyenglish/

Australia Network n.d. Passport to English: IELTS speaking test, viewed 28 January 2015, http://australianetwork.com/passport/

Bradley, D., Dyer, W., Hayman, J., Soars, J. & Soars, L. 1997, Headway Australasia pre-intermediate student's book, Oxford University Press, Australia.

Bradley, D., Dyer, W., Hayman, J., Soars, J. & Soars, L. 1996, Headway Australasia intermediate student's book, Oxford University Press, Australia.

Brick, J. 2006, Academic culture: A students guide to studying at university, National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research, Macquarie University, Australia.

Hay, I. Bochner, D. Dungey, C. 2006, Making the grade: A guide to successful communication and study, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic, Australia.

Shiels, K., Garnsworthy, M. & Robinson, J. 2012, Read it write it pre-intermediate Australasia student book, Oxford University Press, Australia.

UTS Insearch, 2011, Prepare for IELTS practice tests: academic module, Insearch, Sydney.