English Language Studies B: Phonetics, Phonology and Oral Communication

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2025/20

Institute / School :

Institute of Education, Arts & Community

Unit Title:

English Language Studies B: Phonetics, Phonology and Oral
Communication

Unit ID:

EDMST6113

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(EDBSP1023)

ASCED:

091521

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit teaches post-graduate students to identify and understand the sounds of the English language. Australian Standard English, like all languages, is composed of a set of specific sounds, i.e. phonemes, and all words are made up of these sounds. Understanding what the sounds of the English language are, including how they are articulated, is essential for a range of professions, including teachers of English, in particular for teaching phonics, speech pathologists, audiologists, and learning integration aides. Students completing this unit will be able to identify the sounds that make up any given word of English, articulate and explain these sounds for pedagogical purposes. They will have the skills to transcribe English words in the international phonetic alphabet, and to understand place of articulation, manner of articulation, and the acoustic relations of the phonetics and phonology of English.

The unit introduces students to the articulatory and acoustic phonetics and phonology of English, including stress and intonation patterns, and how these function to create meaning in oral communication. Students will be able to identify stress patterns in English words and sentences. Students will also understand speech development, and oral communication development across the lifespan.

Students will learn about research into how oral language supports literacy development, and evidence-based practices such as phonics instruction. Students will also understand how oral language development supports reading and writing development. The unit covers phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, and the grammar associated with spoken discourse and oral communication.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Identify and apply the phonemes and phonological patterns of English.

K2.	Identify and articulate the sounds of words.

K3.	Articulate and explain stress and intonation in words and discourse.

K4.	Examine and synthesise the current research and pedagogical best practices relating to oral language.

K5.	Investigate speech development milestones

K6.	Recognise the key ideas of articulatory and acoustic phonetics.

Skills:

S1.	Transcribe words according to their sounds.

S2.	Identify place and manner of articulation for the sounds of English.

S3.	Apply the alphabetic principle and phonics.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Apply and synthesise knowledge of oral language to interpret curriculum.

A2.	Analyse spoken language demonstrating an understanding of English phonetics and phonology.

A3.	Interpret and implement appropriate pedagogical interventions to promote oral language, literacy outcomes, and speech development.

Unit Content:

This unit will cover the following topics:

Topics may include:

1. The sounds of English: phonetics and phonology.

2. Pronunciation and listening: Articulatory and acoustic phonetics.

3. Oral language and literacy development.

4. The alphabetic principle, phonics and reading instruction.

5. Speech development milestones and variation.

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2	Transcription tasks: phonemes, stress and intonation.	Quiz	20-30%
2.	K1, K3, K4, K5, K6, S3, A2, A3	Essay: Oral Communication/evidence-based practice/speech development.	Written	40- 50%
3.	K4, K5, S3, A1, A3	Lesson Plan and micro-teaching	Oral presentation	30-40%

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency