483-120 Learning Area (Primary): Language and Literacy

Credit Points:

Coordinator:

Prerequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• demonstrate a knowledge of a variety of theories associated with the teaching of reading, writing and oral language in the primary school;

• demonstrate a knowledge of the relationship between reading and writing and oral language, and the functions all three serve in the development of primary school children;

• demonstrate an ability to recognise a range of text types found in the primary school, where this involves both knowledge of the linguistic organisation of the texts, and a knowledge of the different purposes they serve;

• demonstrate an understanding of the nature and variety of literature available to children;

• develop insights into the processes by which children learn to read and write, and develop knowledge of appropriate strategies to teach reading and writing; and

• demonstrate knowledge of ministerial policy and curriculum programs in regard to planning and teaching language and literacy education.

Content:

This subject examines theories and methodologies associated with the teaching of reading, writing, writing and oral language in the primary school. It will build and extend on the understandings developed about theories of language acquisition, issues related to texts (written, spoken, and visual) and the nature and scope of text types used in the classroom developed in Language and Literacy in the Classroom. Students will be required to enhance their understanding of the various theoretical perspectives they gain by undertaking a carefully controlled program of observation of the growth of literacy and oracy of a selected primary age child.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Department of School Education Victoria, Curriculum Standards Framework: English, 1995.
• Derwewianka B (ed), Language Assessment in Primary Classrooms, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Sydney 1992.
• Unsworth L (ed), Literacy Learning and Teaching: Language as Social Practice in the Primary School, MacMillan 1993.