Language Teaching Experience 8094

2015

Semester 1,

Observations
As part of your LTE unit, you are required to observe classes run by experienced teachers. You can
arrange these through your own channels if you are able to. Otherwise, the contact information
below may help you.
You can observe classes at different institutions and as many classes as you like or are able to, but
our requirements are that you observe at least three (a minimum of six hours), and reflect in detail
on at least two.
In most cases, teachers prefer that you arrive at the beginning of a lesson and remain until the
end, to minimise any disruptions. You also need to come prepared with all materials needed for the
observation. Mobile phones must be turned off before the beginning of the lesson. If you are
unable to attend the requested lesson, you should inform the teacher beforehand. Teachers are
usually happy to discuss the lesson content and objectives and provide copies of class material, as
requested by you. On occasion, you may be asked to participate in a class activity. Teachers are
also certainly very interested in any feedback or questions you may have. If more than a few
minutes of discussion time is needed, you may need to request an appointment time with the
class teacher before or after the lesson.
Please see below for details on observing classes at UCELI, UCC, CIT, ANU College, MARSS, Lake
Ginninderra College and also observations of classes of very young learners.
1

Observations in UCELI

UCELI is the University of Canberra English Language Institute. It conducts mainstream English
classes, called ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students this is the
recognised term for English colleges around Australia). UCELIs reception desk is in Buildings 5.
However, ELICOS classes are held around the campus, in the same way as UC tutorials and
lectures.
ELICOS operates as an English language pathway into UC College courses, and UC undergraduate
and postgraduate courses. There are ELICOS classes at all levels of English proficiency, from
beginners through to university preparation. Levels below Intermediate study General English for
broad proficiency in everyday living; from Intermediate onwards, there is an increasing focus on
Academic English and the skills required for university study.
ELICOS operates in 10-week sessions over the course of the year, with the exception of the 5-week
intensive session in January. There is an intake of students at the beginning of every session.
ELICOS students attend 20 hours of classes every week, between 9.30am and 5.30pm. For Session
2 2015, which starts on 23 February, there are 15 classes. Their timetables will be posted on
Moodle.
If you are interested in observing ELICOS classes, take a look at these timetables. Every class has
a colour, and youll see the colour groups represent class levels. Notice how the timetables are
divided between integrated textbook work (Core Text), and a focus on macroskills. Individual
Language Extension is self-study time for the students and so cannot be observed!
Note: ELICOS students undertake tests in weeks 5 and 10 of their program. It is therefore not
generally convenient for ELICOS for you to observe in these weeks.

At this stage you need to think about what level(s) you would like to observe, and what skill(s). If
you are keen to observe ELICOS classes at UCELI, get in touch with Tamzen
(tamzen.armer@canberra.edu.au). Please introduce yourself and let me know when you are
available and which levels/skills you would like to see. Note that you may not get your first choice
as I need to check classes/teachers are not overloaded with observers. Please dont try to arrange
observations directly through any UCELI teacher, even if you know them.

Observations in UCC

The University of Canberra College is a pathway college for students entering both
undergraduate and graduate studies in UC. The College offers Diploma courses for
international students, which are alternative first years for a number (but not all) of
undergraduate degrees. These courses are three semesters long, and students study English
units alongside their first year degree units. The English units are focused on the
requirements of academic performance.
UCC also offers a semester pathway for some international postgraduate students, again
including academic English upgrading.
While most classes take place during the day, some UCC classes take place in the evenings.
If you want to observe English classes in UCC, take a look at the schedule which will soon be
posted on Moodle. The next Diploma term begins on 2 March. Please contact the teacher
directly to arrange a time to observe their class.
Please introduce yourself and explain clearly your interest in observing UCC classes.

Observations at CIT

The Canberra Institute of Technology offers English preparation classes in the context of its
own academic courses. It will be possible for a small number of students to observe classes in
the Skills for Education and Employment program (SEE). These observations are likely to
develop into teaching/tutoring opportunities and so would best suit those hoping to teach in
such a context in the future.
To arrange observations at CIT Bruce, please contact Jeremy Jones
(Jeremy.jones@canberra.edu.au).

ANU College

ANU College offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses to students at Intermediate
level and above.
Further information on observing at ANU to follow.

Migrant And Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS)

Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT assists migrants and refugees with
settling into their new life in the ACT and surrounding region. They provide a variety of
services to those who have just arrived, through to those who have been here for years but
still experience difficulty navigating or accessing government services, education or
employment.
Please contact Jeremy Jones (Jeremy.jones@canberra.edu.au) to arrange observations at
MARSS.

Lake Ginninderra College

The UC Senior College Lake Ginninderra includes, as part of their curriculum, courses for
students of non-English speaking background, who have spent less than seven years in an
Australian or English language school.
Classes take place during regular school hours.
If you are interested in observing a class at Lake Ginninderra College, please contact Kirsten
Vizjak Kirsten.vizjak@ed.act.edu.au
Please introduce yourself and explain clearly your interest in observing classes at Lake
Ginninderra College.

Very Young Learners

A number of schools in the ACT have specialist Introductory English Centres which provide
intensive English language tuition for students with little or no English. Students may attend
full-time for up to nine months prior to transferring into mainstream school classes.
If you intend to teach English to children and are interested in an observation at an IEC,
please contact Jeremy Jones (jeremy.jones@canberra.edu.au).