Language & Literacy Learning in Children (EDUC90705)

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, Teacher Candidates will have the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to:

Graduate Standards refers to the Graduate-level Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

• Understand the models and theories of language and literacy development (the form and function of spoken and written language). (Graduate Standards 1.1, 1.2)
• Demonstrate knowledge of the typical sequence of emergence of language and literacy skills. (Graduate Standards 1.1, 1.2)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of adult interaction in supporting infant communication and language development, including the home learning environment. (Graduate Standards 1.1, 3.7)
• Identify, analyse, and critically evaluate pedagogies for language and literacy learning. (Graduate Standards 1.2, 3.3)
• Demonstrate an ability to design and implement diverse language, literature, and literacy curricula that take into account the impact of culture, cultural identity, history and linguistic background as part of an integrated early childhood programme. (Graduate Standards 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2)
• Identify and address the language, literature, and literacy learning needs of individual children, provide timely and appropriate feedback about their learning in a range of contexts. (Graduate Standards 1.5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4)
• Demonstrate an ability to use digital technologies and processes to support children’s diverse language learning needs. (Graduate Standard 3.4)
• Critically reflect on research into how students learn and understand the concepts, substance, structure and implications for effective teaching practice, including the creation of effective learning environments. (Graduate Standards 1.2, 1.5, 2.1, 3.2 & 3.6)
• Understand how to set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics. (Graduate Standards 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 & 3.6)
• Select appropriate strategies to differentiate teaching to meet specific needs of students, including verbal and non-verbal communication, digital technologies, literacy, numeracy and 21st Century skills in order to engage and empower students in their learning. (Graduate Standards 1.2, 1.5, 2.5, 3.3, 3.4 & 2.6)
• Evaluate teaching programs to improve learning and to determine the effectiveness of strategies and resources. (Graduate Standards 3.3, 3.4, 3.6 & 5.1)
• Identify assessment strategies including formal and informal diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess and to support students’ learning. (Graduate Standards 2.3, 3.4, 3.6 & 5.1)

Generic skills

Graduates will develop the following set of key transferable skills:

• Clinical reasoning and thinking
• Problem solving
• Evidence based decision making
• Creativity and innovation
• Teamwork and professional collaboration
• Learning to learn and metacognition
• Responsiveness to a changing knowledge base
• Reflection for continuous improvement
• Linking theory and practice
• Inquiry and research
• Active and participatory citizenship.