VU23573 - Explore current issues

Unit code: VU23573 | Study level: TAFE
Nominal hours:
55
Location
Footscray Nicholson
St Albans
Sunshine
Werribee
Prerequisites
N/A
Overview
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Overview

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required by EAL learners to explore local or international current issues including identifying and discussing key information and expressing an opinion about an issue.
The outcomes described in this unit relate to:

  • the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of competence for Oral Communication, Reading and Writing at Level 2, and
  • the ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. They contribute directly to the achievement of ISLPR Listening 2, Speaking 2, Reading 2 and Writing 2.
    This unit applies to learners wishing to develop their language the skills and knowledge to explore and engage with current issues.This unit is designed for integration and contextualisation with language units to support achievement of English language knowledge and skills.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment tasks will be designed to reinforce & extend knowledge and skill competence within set & controlled parameters in accordance with each unit's learning outcomes & performance criteria requirements, including the setting of work-based practical application tasks designed to provide evidence of competence outcomes, within periodic and scheduled timelines.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the following required skills:

  • identify and engage with information on one current issue using at least two different sources
  • use appropriate conversation strategies to participate in one simple discussion about a current issue
  • plan, produce and proofread one simple written text about a current issue using a series of short sentences.

Students will also be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge:

  • vocabulary and expressions related to topical issues
  • simple expressions for giving reasons or simple opinions
  • simple and compound sentence structures
  • simple question forms
  • common high frequency tense and aspect forms to describe present, past or future, such as simple present, simple past, present continuous, future forms
  • simple modals and modal forms, such as should, might, need to
  • simple phrasal verbs, such as, We are using up too much water
  • simple connectives
  • high frequency discourse markers or cohesive devices, such as anyway, in my opinion, on the one hand / other hand
  • adjectives, adverbs or adverbial phrases to describe problems, issues or situations
  • simple prepositions or prepositional phrases, such as Prices in the supermarket are very high, cost of living in Australia is a problem.
    Sociolinguistic and Cultural Knowledge:
  • simple paralinguistic features, such as body language to interpret and convey meaning and acknowledge understanding in discussions
  • how tone, stress and intonation modify meaning when giving opinions on an issue
  • simple high frequency idiomatic expressions
  • tone, style, attitude or intention of writer.

Required reading

The qualified trainer and assessor will provide teaching and learning materials as required in the form of workbooks produced by Victoria University and/or via the Victoria University e-learning system.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Certificate II in EAL (Access)
22639VIC | Certificate ii | Duration:

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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