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Linguistics for Literacy unit (EPR315)

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Location: Online

Introduction

This unit provides you with in-depth theoretical knowledge about the nature, structure and development of language from a functional approach and its relations to language and literacy education. It is built on the foundational concepts in the first two core English units, ESH110 and ESH210, and has a strong focus on the Language and Literacy strands of the Australian Curriculum: English. You will have the opportunity to extend your knowledge of spelling, and to enhance your creative writing and lesson planning skills. You will also be required to develop classroom resources for the teaching and learning of spelling and writing.

Summary

Unit name Linguistics for Literacy
Unit code EPR315
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Faculty of Education
Discipline Education
Coordinator Doctor Vinh To
Available as an elective? No
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Advanced

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify and apply key theoretical concepts
  • Create teaching and learning resources
  • Create learning experiences using written texts
  • Use language resources to communicate meaning

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
070103 $592.00 $592.00 not applicable $2,562.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

(ESH110 and ESH210) or (EPR110 and ERP210)

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Off Campus:

Weekly (online) pre-recorded lecture (1 hour) and weekly participation in discussions and activities on MyLO (2 hours). 

AssessmentParticipation and Engagement (10%)|Creating Spelling Resources for Learning and Teaching (20%)|Creative Writing (30%)|Lesson Planning (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Adoniou, M. (2016). Spelling it out: How words work and how to teach them. Cambridge University Press.
Humphrey, S., & Feez, S. (2024). Grammar and meaning (2nd). PETAA.

 

Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.
Recommended

These materials will be useful to your developing knowledge and understanding of the content in this unit, but you are not required to purchase them. When seeking sources of evidence to support your assignment work, you will find these a useful starting point. These materials are available for a limited loan period from the University Library collection.


Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2022). The Australian Curriculum. https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2015). English. https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/english/?layout=1
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (May 2009). Shape of the Australian Curriculum English. http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Australian_Curriculum_-_English.pdf on 4 July 2010.
Bear, D., Invernizzi, M.,Templeton, S., & Johnston, F.(2019). Words their way: Word study for phonics, vocabulary and spelling instruction (6th ed.). Pearson.
Chamberlain, L. (2017). Inspiring writing in primary schools. PETAA.

Clayton, S., (2021). Education APA7 Reference Guide. https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1427913/Education-APA7-reference-guide-v1.0.pdf
Derewianka, B. (2022). A new grammar companion for primary teachers (3rd ed.). Primary English Teaching Association Australia.
Derewianka, B. (1990). Exploring how texts work. PETAA.

Department of Education and Training New South Wales. (2007). Writing and spelling Strategies: Assisting students who have additional learning support needs. https://cer.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/c/cer/localcontent/writingandspellingstrategies.pdf
Emmitt, M., Zbaracki, M., Komesaroff, L., & Pollock, J. (2014). Language and learning: An introduction for teaching (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Gleeson, L. (2014). Writing like a writer: Teaching narrative writing. PETAA.
Holliday, M. (2010). Strategies for writing success. PETAA.
Oakley, G. & Fellowes, J. (2016). A closer look at spelling in the primary classroom. PETAA.
Perrin, R. (2020). Pocket guide to APA style (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Rossbridge, J., and Rushton, K. (2011). Conversations about text: Teaching grammar using literary texts. PETAA.
Templeton, S., Johnston, F., Invernizzi, M., & Bear, D. (2019). Word sorts for derivational relations spellers (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Topfer, C. (2017). Guiding thinking for effective spelling (2nd). Cengage.
To, V. (2020, November 24). Saying more with less: 4 ways grammatical metaphor improves academic writing. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/saying-more-with-less-4-ways-grammatical-metaphor-improves-academic-writing-147103
To, V. (2020, November 12). Grammatical metaphor: What, why and how. Paper presented for the Systemic Functional Linguistics Interest Group webinar series. https://sflinterestgroup.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/vinh-to_-sflig-2020-presentation.pdf
To, V., Thomas, D., & Thomas, A. (2020). Writing persuasive texts: Using grammatical metaphors for rhetorical purposes in an educational context. Australian Journal of Linguistics, 40(2), 1-21.https://doi.org/10.1080/07268602.2020.1732867
Wordworks Literacy Centre. (2020). Structured Word Inquiry. http://www.wordworkskingston.com/WordWorks/Structured_Word_Inquiry.html
University of Tasmania (2020). APA. In Referencing and assignment writing. https://utas.libguides.com/referencing/APA7th

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