4. Postgraduate study
Please note these courses are for Indigenous Australian students only.
Introduction
The Koori Centre offers a suite of postgraduate qualifications designed to meet the need for qualified instructors to participate in the delivery of Indigenous Australian languages education programs in a range of educational settings.
The Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Indigenous Languages Education equip Indigenous educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the NSW Aboriginal Languages K-10 Syllabus and syllabi from other states. Course content is arranged into linguistics, theory and practice strands and is applicable to all Indigenous Australian languages. Students do not need to be fluent in an Indigenous Australian language to enter the courses and may undertake external study as part of the Graduate Diploma or Master.
The courses are offered on a full-time basis by mixed-mode ('block release') requiring attendance at three blocks each semester. Teaching staff are drawn from within the University and Indigenous Australian language programs from across the state.
Entry to the Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Languages Education requires that candidates have successfully completed two years towards a teaching qualification, that is: a Diploma in Education (Aboriginal), or equivalent. The Graduate Certificate is completed in one semester full-time and consists of four units of study:
- KCIL5610 Sounds & Writing in Indigenous Languages
- KCIL5611 Words & Meanings in Indigenous Languages
- KCIL5612 Sentences & Text in Indigenous Languages
- KCIL5613 Theories & Methods in Language Learning
Students who complete the requirements for the Graduate Certificate may extend their study and qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Languages Education by undertaking a further two units of study in the second semester, chosen from the following:
- KCIL5622 Learning an Indigenous Language
- KCIL5623 Language Curriculum Development
- KCIL5624 Technology & Language Learning
Entry to the Master of Indigenous Languages Education requires that candidates have completed either:
- a four-year teaching qualification, that is: a Bachelor of Education, or a three year degree and a Diploma of Education
or - the Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Languages Education with an average mark of 70 per cent or higher.
To qualify for the award of the Master of Indigenous Languages Education students must complete four units of study chosen from the following, in addition to completing all four offered in the first semester:
- KCIL5620 Research Methods in Languages Education
- KCIL5621 Research Project in Languages Education (elective)
- KCIL5622 Learning an Indigenous Language (elective)
- KCIL5623 Language Curriculum Development
- KCIL5624 Technology & Language Learning
In some cases it may be possible for candidates with similar but different qualifications to be granted admission.
| Unit of study | Credit points | P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Postgraduate units of study |
|||
Graduate Certificate/Diploma and Master of Indigenous Languages Education |
|||
| KCIL5610 Sounds & Writing in Indigenous Languages |
6 | C KCIL5611 and KCIL5612 Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S1 Late Int |
| KCIL5611 Words & Meanings in Indigenous Languages |
6 | C KCIL5610 and KCIL5612 Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S1 Late Int |
| KCIL5612 Sentences & Text in Indigenous Languages |
6 | C KCIL5610 and KCIL5611 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S1 Late Int |
| KCIL5613 Theories & Methods in Language Learning |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S1 Late Int |
| KCIL5620 Research Methods in Languages Education |
6 | P 18 credit points, including KCIL5613 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S2 Late Int |
| KCIL5621 Research Project in Languages Education |
6 | C KCIL5620 N KCIL5622 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
Semester 2 |
| KCIL5622 Learning an Indigenous Language |
6 | P 18 credit points, including KCIL5613 N KCIL5621 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S2 Late Int |
| KCIL5623 Language Curriculum Development |
6 | P 18 credit points, including KCIL5613 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S2 Late Int |
| KCIL5624 Technology and Language Learning |
6 | C KCIL5623 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only. |
S2 Late Int |
Postgraduate units of study
Graduate Certificate/Diploma and Master of Indigenous Languages Education
KCIL5610 Sounds & Writing in Indigenous Languages
Credit points: 6 Session: S1 Late Int Classes: Block Mode Corequisites: KCIL5611 and KCIL5612
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
The study of any language requires an understanding of its sounds and the ways in which they relate to each other so that they can be written down. This unit of study introduces students to the production, perception and classification of speech sounds and their organisation into meaningful systems with particular reference to Indigenous Australian languages. It also provides an understanding of the development of writing systems and contemporary approaches to Australian orthography design.
KCIL5611 Words & Meanings in Indigenous Languages
Credit points: 6 Session: S1 Late Int Classes: Block Mode Corequisites: KCIL5610 and KCIL5612
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
Words are the principal vehicles for conveying meaning in most languages. This unit of study gives students a foundation in the description of meaning and the structure and function of words with particular reference to Indigenous Australian languages. It also provides students with the skills to classify words and their component parts and describe the ways in which they combine sound and meaning to make verbal communication possible.
KCIL5612 Sentences & Text in Indigenous Languages
Credit points: 6 Session: S1 Late Int Classes: Block Mode Corequisites: KCIL5610 and KCIL5611
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
Sentences and texts are the major units of human language. This unit of study provides students with the understanding and skills to describe these longer strings of language and make generalisations about them. It also considers the relationships between the many varieties of Australian languages that occur for different purposes, in different places and at different times.
KCIL5613 Theories & Methods in Language Learning
Credit points: 6 Session: S1 Late Int Classes: Block Mode
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
Teachers in the language classroom are often confronted with the dilemma of choosing the right method or approach to adequately develop the proficiency of their students. What many do not realise is that there is no one perfect method or approach; what might work in one language teaching situation might not necessarily work in another. Over the last two centuries, a number of methods and approaches have emerged each determined by the social, cultural, economic and political factors of the day. Given this scope, there are teaching situations that have demanded a focus on the development of written proficiency whilst others that of oracy.
The goal of this course is to introduce students to theories of languages education methodology and provide them with the foundations to successfully choose methods and/or approaches that will best cater the teaching of Indigenous languages in Australia. It will include significant methods used in the teaching of the macro (listening and responding, speaking, reading and responding, and writing) skills and the micro (lexico-grammatical) skills; determining teacher and learner roles; and effective language lesson planning.
The goal of this course is to introduce students to theories of languages education methodology and provide them with the foundations to successfully choose methods and/or approaches that will best cater the teaching of Indigenous languages in Australia. It will include significant methods used in the teaching of the macro (listening and responding, speaking, reading and responding, and writing) skills and the micro (lexico-grammatical) skills; determining teacher and learner roles; and effective language lesson planning.
KCIL5620 Research Methods in Languages Education
Credit points: 6 Session: S2 Late Int Classes: Block Mode Prerequisites: 18 credit points, including KCIL5613
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
Conducting research in the teaching of Australian languages requires an understanding of diverse issues, including: languages education research methods, the history of research on Indigenous people and languages, locating existing records, practical techniques for obtaining and managing data, project planning, Indigenous research ethics and community consultation. It is also important for students to understand the role of research in high-quality teaching and to gain experience in a range of research methodologies and their potential for application to likely teaching situations in this field. This unit of study allows students to explore these issues and develop practical skills that will allow them to become effective researchers in Indigenous languages education. Students will be expected to directly apply their learning in this unit of study to their activities in KCIL5621 Research Project in Languages Education or KCIL5622 Learning an Indigenous Language.
KCIL5621 Research Project in Languages Education
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Block Mode Corequisites: KCIL5620 Prohibitions: KCIL5622
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
Although some Indigenous Australian languages have undergone substantial documentation and are currently being taught, many are in great need of further research and all require more investigation. This unit of study provides students with an opportunity to exercise the skills and knowledge provided in the course to generate new knowledge about particular languages and their teaching.
KCIL5622 Learning an Indigenous Language
Credit points: 6 Session: S2 Late Int Classes: Block Mode Prerequisites: 18 credit points, including KCIL5613 Prohibitions: KCIL5621
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
In order to teach an Indigenous language it is essential that the teacher has greater fluency than their students. This unit of study provides an opportunity for students to undertake study outside the degree program to develop their ability to speak an Australian language.
Students may access courses offered by the University of Sydney, another tertiary institution, a TAFE college, school, community language centre, or similar. To obtain credit under this unit of study the external studies must be equivalent to 36 hours of face-to-face teaching and satisfy MILE staff regarding its standard and thoroughness. Students who are already fluent or cannot access an external unit in a language of their choosing should undertake KCIL5621 Research Project in Indigenous Languages as a means to enhance their skills.
Students may access courses offered by the University of Sydney, another tertiary institution, a TAFE college, school, community language centre, or similar. To obtain credit under this unit of study the external studies must be equivalent to 36 hours of face-to-face teaching and satisfy MILE staff regarding its standard and thoroughness. Students who are already fluent or cannot access an external unit in a language of their choosing should undertake KCIL5621 Research Project in Indigenous Languages as a means to enhance their skills.
KCIL5623 Language Curriculum Development
Credit points: 6 Session: S2 Late Int Classes: Block Mode Prerequisites: 18 credit points, including KCIL5613
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
Preceding any successful formal teaching or learning situation is effective programming and planning determined by curriculum parameters. Language curriculum development involves more than just the content to be taught in any given teaching situation. It involves establishing goals and outcomes often defined by external organisations; performing ongoing needs analysis of learning and teaching situations; programming and planning against external and internal factors; designing programs that best address all factors; choosing and designing resources; and determining appropriate assessment and evaluation procedures.
The goal of this unit is to examine these issues against authentic situations and apply knowledge gained towards developing effective language curriculum for quality teaching in Indigenous languages education contexts and across all key learning areas.
The goal of this unit is to examine these issues against authentic situations and apply knowledge gained towards developing effective language curriculum for quality teaching in Indigenous languages education contexts and across all key learning areas.
KCIL5624 Technology and Language Learning
Credit points: 6 Session: S2 Late Int Classes: Block Mode Corequisites: KCIL5623
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available to students enrolled in Koori Centre block-mode courses only.
Effective language teaching and learning can be enhanced by technology. This unit of study introduces students to the diverse technological aids that can enhance their teaching practices and their own language learning. It provides them with samples and models from which they can develop their own multimedia resources.