Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Second Languages (PGTL) - Postgrad CertTSL

CRICOS code (International applicants): 061306K

This program is offered only to continuing students. No new admissions will be accepted. Students who are interested in this area of study should consider the PGAL Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics.

Notes

This program does not qualify you for teacher registration with relevant teaching authorities. If you are interested in a program that enables you to qualify for teacher registration, please refer to the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching.

Contact us

Future students

Current students

Telephone 1800 007 252 (within Australia freecall), +61 7 4631 2285 (from outside Australia), email usqassist@usq.edu.au or submit a question via USQAssist.

Program focus

This program provides students with enhanced understanding of the principles of second language learning and teaching by addressing methodologies, course/syllabus design and the effects of bilingualism on learning. It can offer credit towards the Master of Applied Linguistics and Master of TESOL.

We are currently redeveloping our programs for 2009. This area of study will remain available, with greater flexibility.

Program objectives

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Second Languages program is designed for teachers who want to undertake a shorter specialist Teaching Second Languages program.

On successful completion of the program, students will be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding of the nature of language

• an understanding of the principles of second language learning and teaching and thus be able to develop a coherent personal theory of second language learning and teaching

• knowledge of different methodologies and strategies that can be used in the classroom in order to teach the four macroskills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as grammar and vocabulary

• capabilities for critically analysing professional issues affecting current educational practices and applying contextually relevant theories and skills in the teaching of second languages.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent from a recognised university or a three-year diploma and either:

• a teaching qualification or its equivalent, or

• language teaching experience (with second language learners) for at least two years or equivalent.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP program.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

To be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Second Languages in the Faculty of Education, a student normally must have completed 4 units at postgraduate level, comprising three core courses and one elective. Not more than two courses can be at level 8.

The on-campus program is offered in a mixture of ways: lectures, tutorials, seminars and assignments. The external program is offered by distance education. Both programs provide students with study packages and access to on-line discussion, resources and learning support. Students are also expected to put theory and their understanding of the second language acquisition processes into practice during their own teaching.

Practical Experience

There is an optional practicum consisting of 20 hours teaching and/or observing lessons at an appropriate institution in Australia. Of the 20 hours, six hours are observed and evaluated by a qualified supervising teacher. This option provides an opportunity for those students who need this practical experience for employment purposes as a formally reported experience.

Note: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including University students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18 in the state of Queensland, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment, etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is students' responsibility to ensure that they possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing this practicum. If they are undertaking practical experience outside the state of Queensland, Australia, they should check local requirements.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 2 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Some offerings of courses in the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Second Languages program are offered entirely on the Internet. A few courses require access to specific software. Many courses use electronic mail and discussion groups for communication among students and staff. Most, if not all, courses expect that work submitted for assessment will be prepared using a word processor or other appropriate software. As new courses are introduced and existing courses are revised, it is anticipated that they will make more extensive use of the Internet for communication and for access to course materials and other resources.

Hence, although there are no specific computer hardware or software requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Second Languages program in general, it is a general expectation that students will have convenient access to a computer with common productivity software and Internet access. Some courses may require additional software and/or a more capable computer. Information about such requirements is included in the sections about specified majors and in the relevant course specifications.

Courses noted as being offered 'online (WEB)' within the recommended enrolment patterns do not provide for delivery of printed materials. Students enrolling in such courses MUST have ongoing convenient and reliable access to the Internet in order to access course materials and participate in activities that will affect assessment. The required levels of equipment may vary from course to course and from time to time. A username and a password (use either those which gain access to USQConnect or those which were selected when registering at USQ) are required for access to the study materials.

Exemptions

Exemptions for courses in the Postgraduate Certificate program may be granted where applicants can demonstrate that they have successfully completed an equivalent postgraduate course or have otherwise achieved the objectives of the relevant course. Exemptions may be granted on the basis of professional development activities or extensive work experience if it can be demonstrated that through those activities the student has achieved learning outcomes equivalent to those of a relevant postgraduate course. Where a student's program of study includes electives, exemption may be granted for one or more electives where students can demonstrate successful completion of work of a type and standard equivalent to an elective study.

Students intending to apply for exemptions should consult the University Academic Regulations. Applications for exemption will be expected to comply with the relevant USQ and Faculty regulations and should demonstrate that the objectives of the course for which exemption is sought have been achieved. Within the framework of those regulations, the following points should be given particular consideration:

• the maximum number of units which may be exempted in the Postgraduate Certificate is two

• students may NOT claim exemption for work on which they relied for admission to the program

• exemptions will NOT normally be granted for study completed more than five years prior to submission of the application for exemption

• applications for exemption on the basis of study completed prior to entering the program will NOT normally be accepted beyond the end of the first semester of enrolment in the Postgraduate Certificate

• credit will NOT normally be granted for work undertaken concurrently with the Postgraduate Certificate unless the application is submitted and approved before the work is undertaken with credit subject to satisfactory completion of the approved work.

Students should seek advice from the Program Administrator before applying for exemptions. Detailed information about requirements for exemptions may be available for specific courses.

Credit for courses passed in an incomplete program may be transferred where those courses form part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Second Languages.

Other information

Students are assessed on their assignments and their participation in seminars and/or keeping of journals for external students. There are no formal examinations. Some of the courses may have a take-home (open-book) examination. Students will be required to submit these take-home examinations by a specific date. Practice teaching and microteaching, where applicable, are graded either as satisfactory or not satisfactory.

Recommended enrolment pattern

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate in the Faculty of Education, a student must have normally completed 4 units at postgraduate level, of which no more than two can be at level 8. Under exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Program Coordinator, one unit may be completed at level 4.