Australian Culture Students Guide Anhui College of International Economy
Welcome to Australian Culture Studies FP012. Australian Culture Studies is one of your Foundation Programme units.
Please read this outline in conjunction with your Student Reader on the Australian Culture Studies.
It is recommended that you prepare for your assessments well in advance of their due date to allow sufficient time to review your work. Many students find it useful to draw up a schedule of all their units’ assessment dates, allocating dates for drafts and reviewing.
During the course you will be expected to to achieve the following competencies:
Competencies
Teaching Programme and Assessment
You will complete about 14 modules over two semesters. The following is a typical teaching plan and outline. Depending on your teacher there could be some variation in the order of the topics and how they are delivered to you.
Session 1 : Module 1: Introduction to Australia, Geography
Module 2-3 Flora and Fauna, Australia’s
Session 2 Module 3 Australia’s Indigenous Population Brief history of Australia
Module 4 Brief history of Australia
Session 3
Module 5 Population and Multiculturalism,
Module 6 The Chinese in Australia
Session 4
Module 7 The Political System
Module 8 Australia’s Economic System
Include practice IELTS writing tasks here on economic data in your portfolio
Session 5
Module 9 Education in Australia
Module 10 Australian Lifestyle – Sport
Session 6
Module 11 Individual oral presentations using PowerPoint
Module 12 Australian Lifestyle – The Arts* Review of an Australian Film or novel
Session 7
Module 13 Living in Australia and Important Things You Should Know
Module 14 Getting Around in Australia, Australian Slang
There will be an exam to complete the work
A summary of the Assessments for the Australian Culture Unit
During the two semesters you will have 8 Assessments or work requirements you will need to complete in the Australian Culture Unit ( Again your teacher will confirm these with you but this guide will aid your preparation:
1) Attendance 10% ie getting to class
2) Mini Essay on Australian Fauna – 10%
3) Portfolio Folder – 20% ( Continuous Assessment)
4) Famous Australians Presentation 15%
5) Australian film or novel review – 10%
6) Preparing for Australia and Australian university Report – 15%
7) Exams 20% – there will be two exams one for topics 1-6 and a final exam.
Please note you need to complete all the requirements for this course. The assessment is not just the final exam.
In the following section of the webpage you have a more detailed explanation of the tasks you will need to complete. The information is presented in a way you would expect to find in an Australian University or College.
Some further advice for preparing for the assessments
1. Refer to your teacher as they will you what is needed for the formal assessment
2. Start the assignment work when instructed to by your foundation teacher – don’t leave the work for the last minute
3. Check you know the due date.
4. Read the instructions carefully for the tasks and make sure you understand them.
5. Ask for help and talk to the teacher if you need help
6. Organise you assignment properly and follow the models and instructions of your teacher
7. Do not copy your work – it needs to be your own work
8. Make sure you do them in English
9. Submit the task on time
10. Read the feedback and comments given by the teacher. This will help you to improve.
Assessment Task 1: Class Attendance and Participation
Weighting – 10%
Due – this is continuous throughout the semester
Assessment Method Checking the class role/teacher monitoring and oral questioning of students
Assessor/s Class teacher and Chinese tutors
Competencies
Assessment Tasks 4 and 8 Exams
You will be given two Exams in this course. The exams will test the competencies mentioned in this document. They will not be tests of memorising.
A) Exam 1 – Topics 1 -6
B) Exam 2- All thsi course with an emphasis on topics 7-14. The exam will be structured similar to an Australian University exam and also have questions in formats similar to what you will fined in the IELTS exam,.
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio Weighting 20% of you your final assessment
Assessment Method
Class attendance and teacher correction and monitoring of the folder inclusions
Date of the Assessment This is continuous assessment and will assessed at the discretion of your foundation teacher.
Competencies
Assessment will be based on:
Resources
Students will need to keep handouts and other materials given by the teacher and tutors during the process of the delivery of the course.
Instructions for Candidate
You will receive instructions on the materials they should have included in the portfolio and the when teachers plan to review the contents of the file. Don’t loose this portfolio as you will use over two semesters
Assessment Task 3: Australian Fauna Mini Essays (this task is one of the tasks for your porfolio
Due _____________________________________
Weighting 5 %
Key Competencies
Instructions for Students Students will need to answer the following questions about their chosen example of fauna
Assessment Task 4: Famous Australians Weighting 15 %
Date of Assessment ___________________________ Competencies
Teachers need to ensure students are able to access a computer that has power point and also a room which is capable of doing multi-media presentations.
Instructions for Candidate The student needs to find out:
Assessment Task 5: Review of an Australian Movie or Novel Assessment Method Individual written task
Weighting 10 %
Due ___________________
Competencies Brief Description of Task The student is to present a report on an Australian movie or novel they have read or viewed
Resources The teacher needs to either select a book or movie for the students to view or read. It may be necessary to set aside time to view the movie and ensure their will be enough time to view the movie. Where there is difficult vocabulary or other contextual issue teachers may need to provide these to materials in classes or tutorial. If a movie is chosen to the teacher will need a classroom with audio-visual capability
Instructions for candidates The report needs to be at least 200 words long and cover questions such as:
Assessment Task 6: Preparing for your Studies in Australia Assessment Method Individual Research Report
Assessor Foundation Teacher
You are to write a report on proposed studies in an Australian University
Weighting 15% Date of Assessment _____________________
Competencies · Identify at least one Australian university and course they would like to study in
· Research and submit a report on a chosen university and course the student would like to attend
· Access information in written, visual or electronic forms
· Present information in a range of formats in English as would be required in an Australia university such as essays, reports, graph and presentation
· Utilise the key function of a word processor to present information in English
Section A : Your Australian University
Choose one Australian University you intend to study at and complete the following
Please read this outline in conjunction with your Student Reader on the Australian Culture Studies.
It is recommended that you prepare for your assessments well in advance of their due date to allow sufficient time to review your work. Many students find it useful to draw up a schedule of all their units’ assessment dates, allocating dates for drafts and reviewing.
During the course you will be expected to to achieve the following competencies:
Competencies
- Describe and explain the basic geography, history and culture of Australia
- Interpret and read a range of material that could be used also in an IELTS exam or university course in Australia
- Work collabrately with others in a range of classroom tasks and activities
- Access information in written, visual or electronic forms
- Present information in a range of formats in English as would be required in an Australia university such as essays, reports, graphs and presentations
- Students successfully complete aa course which is assessed progressively as in an Australian university
- Gain some basic skills for living in Australia
- Gain a deeper empathy for the culture and people of Australia
- Maintain a disciplined approach to class attendance and actively participate in lessons
Teaching Programme and Assessment
You will complete about 14 modules over two semesters. The following is a typical teaching plan and outline. Depending on your teacher there could be some variation in the order of the topics and how they are delivered to you.
Session 1 : Module 1: Introduction to Australia, Geography
Module 2-3 Flora and Fauna, Australia’s
Session 2 Module 3 Australia’s Indigenous Population Brief history of Australia
Module 4 Brief history of Australia
Session 3
Module 5 Population and Multiculturalism,
Module 6 The Chinese in Australia
Session 4
Module 7 The Political System
Module 8 Australia’s Economic System
Include practice IELTS writing tasks here on economic data in your portfolio
Session 5
Module 9 Education in Australia
Module 10 Australian Lifestyle – Sport
Session 6
Module 11 Individual oral presentations using PowerPoint
Module 12 Australian Lifestyle – The Arts* Review of an Australian Film or novel
Session 7
Module 13 Living in Australia and Important Things You Should Know
Module 14 Getting Around in Australia, Australian Slang
There will be an exam to complete the work
A summary of the Assessments for the Australian Culture Unit
During the two semesters you will have 8 Assessments or work requirements you will need to complete in the Australian Culture Unit ( Again your teacher will confirm these with you but this guide will aid your preparation:
1) Attendance 10% ie getting to class
2) Mini Essay on Australian Fauna – 10%
3) Portfolio Folder – 20% ( Continuous Assessment)
4) Famous Australians Presentation 15%
5) Australian film or novel review – 10%
6) Preparing for Australia and Australian university Report – 15%
7) Exams 20% – there will be two exams one for topics 1-6 and a final exam.
Please note you need to complete all the requirements for this course. The assessment is not just the final exam.
In the following section of the webpage you have a more detailed explanation of the tasks you will need to complete. The information is presented in a way you would expect to find in an Australian University or College.
Some further advice for preparing for the assessments
1. Refer to your teacher as they will you what is needed for the formal assessment
2. Start the assignment work when instructed to by your foundation teacher – don’t leave the work for the last minute
3. Check you know the due date.
4. Read the instructions carefully for the tasks and make sure you understand them.
5. Ask for help and talk to the teacher if you need help
6. Organise you assignment properly and follow the models and instructions of your teacher
7. Do not copy your work – it needs to be your own work
8. Make sure you do them in English
9. Submit the task on time
10. Read the feedback and comments given by the teacher. This will help you to improve.
Assessment Task 1: Class Attendance and Participation
Weighting – 10%
Due – this is continuous throughout the semester
Assessment Method Checking the class role/teacher monitoring and oral questioning of students
Assessor/s Class teacher and Chinese tutors
Competencies
- Work collabrately with others in a range of classroom tasks and activities
- Access information in written, visual or electronic forms
- Students successfully complete an course which is assessed progressively as in an Australian university
- Gain some basic skills for living in Australia
- Gain a deeper empathy for the culture and people of Australia
- Maintain a disciplined approach to class attendance and actively participate in lessons
Assessment Tasks 4 and 8 Exams
You will be given two Exams in this course. The exams will test the competencies mentioned in this document. They will not be tests of memorising.
A) Exam 1 – Topics 1 -6
B) Exam 2- All thsi course with an emphasis on topics 7-14. The exam will be structured similar to an Australian University exam and also have questions in formats similar to what you will fined in the IELTS exam,.
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio Weighting 20% of you your final assessment
Assessment Method
Class attendance and teacher correction and monitoring of the folder inclusions
Date of the Assessment This is continuous assessment and will assessed at the discretion of your foundation teacher.
Competencies
- Describe and explain the basic geography, history and culture of Australia
- Interpret and read a range of graphical material that could be used also in an IELTS
- Present information in a range of formats in English as would be required in an Australia university such as essays, reports, graph and presentation
- Students successfully complete an course which is assessed progressively as in an Australian university
- Organise information in folder as would be used in an Australian education institution
- Gain some basic skills for living in Australia
- Gain a deeper empathy for the culture and people of Australia, exam or university course in Australia
- Mapping Tasks
- Comprehension questions on worksheets
- DVD reports on documentaries
- Descriptions of Artwork or Photos
- Graphing tasks etc
Assessment will be based on:
- the completeness of the folder ie having all the requested tasks included in the folder. If students miss lessons this will not be a problem
- Accuracy and presentation of the individual work
Resources
Students will need to keep handouts and other materials given by the teacher and tutors during the process of the delivery of the course.
Instructions for Candidate
You will receive instructions on the materials they should have included in the portfolio and the when teachers plan to review the contents of the file. Don’t loose this portfolio as you will use over two semesters
Assessment Task 3: Australian Fauna Mini Essays (this task is one of the tasks for your porfolio
Due _____________________________________
Weighting 5 %
Key Competencies
- Access information in written, visual or electronic forms
- Present information in a range of formats in English as would be required in an Australia university such as essays, reports, graph and presentation
- Utilise the key function of a word processor to present information in English
- Prepare vocabulary that could be used in the IELTS test.
- A mammal
- A reptile
- A bird
Instructions for Students Students will need to answer the following questions about their chosen example of fauna
- A scientific and common name
- Appearance (what does this animal look like) You can draw and label a diagram in English for this section!
- The physical features and special adaptations of the creature.
- Where in Australia you can find this animal? ( Include a map)
- Habitat (Where do they live?)
- Behaviour ( What do they do)
- Diet ( What do they eat)
- Is this creature threatened? Why?
Assessment Task 4: Famous Australians Weighting 15 %
Date of Assessment ___________________________ Competencies
- Access information in written, visual or electronic forms
- Present information in a range of formats in English as would be required in an Australia university such as essays, reports, graph and presentation
- To present information in clear grammatically correct English using a wide range of appropriate vocabulary and phrases
- To engage an audience
- you use of appropriate visual aides with the presentation
- Sport
- Politics e.g. A former Prime Minister
- Business
- Culture or Arts
- Sciences
- Medicine
Teachers need to ensure students are able to access a computer that has power point and also a room which is capable of doing multi-media presentations.
Instructions for Candidate The student needs to find out:
- Where and when this born was born.
- Describe the person's major achievements and contribution to Australia
- Include a picture of this person
- Explain what impressed you most about this person's achievement.
- A typed Word Document on A4 paper or
- Or the slides printed out from the Power Point Presentation
Assessment Task 5: Review of an Australian Movie or Novel Assessment Method Individual written task
Weighting 10 %
Due ___________________
Competencies Brief Description of Task The student is to present a report on an Australian movie or novel they have read or viewed
Resources The teacher needs to either select a book or movie for the students to view or read. It may be necessary to set aside time to view the movie and ensure their will be enough time to view the movie. Where there is difficult vocabulary or other contextual issue teachers may need to provide these to materials in classes or tutorial. If a movie is chosen to the teacher will need a classroom with audio-visual capability
Instructions for candidates The report needs to be at least 200 words long and cover questions such as:
- Name the movie or novel
- Identify its genre
- Where and when was this it set
- Name the main characters and describe one of them in detail
- Briefly outline the story of the movie
- Comments on what was like liked or disliked about the movie/novel and what it showed about Australian culture
Assessment Task 6: Preparing for your Studies in Australia Assessment Method Individual Research Report
Assessor Foundation Teacher
You are to write a report on proposed studies in an Australian University
Weighting 15% Date of Assessment _____________________
Competencies · Identify at least one Australian university and course they would like to study in
· Research and submit a report on a chosen university and course the student would like to attend
· Access information in written, visual or electronic forms
· Present information in a range of formats in English as would be required in an Australia university such as essays, reports, graph and presentation
· Utilise the key function of a word processor to present information in English
Section A : Your Australian University
Choose one Australian University you intend to study at and complete the following
- Name the University and the location of the campus you intend to go to:
- What facilities does this University have?
- What course do you want to study and what faculty of the university will you be in?.
- What choices of accommodation do you have for going to your chosen university?
- What type of accommodation will you choose and why?
- What choices for transport will you have while you study in your city?
- If you want to drive in this city what will you need to do to get a driver’s licence?
- typed
- Presented in a folder on A4 paper