English Language Studies B: Phonetics, Phonology and Oral Communication (EDMST6113)

This course teaches students to identify and understand the sounds of the English language. Australian Standard English, like all languages, is composed of a set of specific sounds, i.e. phonemes, and all words are made up of these sounds. Understanding what the sounds of the English language are, including how they are articulated, is essential for a range of professions, including teachers of English, in particular for teaching phonics, speech pathologists, audiologists, and learning integration aides. Students completing this course will be able to identify the sounds that make up any given word of English, articulate and explain these sounds for pedagogical purposes. They will have the skills to transcribe English words in the international phonetic alphabet, and understand place and manner of articulation and the acoustic relations of the phonetics and phonology of English. The course introduces students to the articulatory and acoustic phonetics and phonology of English, including stress and intonation patterns, and how these function to create meaning in oral communication. Students will be able to identify stress patterns in English words and sentences. Students will also understand the communication milestones in speech development, and oral communication development across the lifespan. Students will learn about research into how oral language supports literacy development, and evidence-based practices such as phonics instruction. Students will also understand how oral language development supports reading and writing development. The course covers phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, and the grammar associated with spoken discourse and oral communication.

For further information regarding the course please refer to the Course Outline found at the following link (PDF, 180kB).

Credit point 15
EFTSL 0.125
Band 1

Commonwealth supported place (CSP)

A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government and students pay a contribution amount. Each unit is classified into a student contribution band, depending on the study area of the unit (this discipline may be different from the study area of your course).

2024 contribution amount* - $555
2024 contribution amount - continuing student who commenced before 1 Jan 2021* - $555

* for Clinical Psychology (Clin Psych) & Professional Pathways (Prof Path) bands the contribution amount is determined by accredited course. Students in Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, Professional Pathway Psychology or Professional Pathway Social Work accredited courses should visit our CSP page for further information.

Note: The Job-ready Graduates Package introduced new funding clusters and contribution amounts from the 2021 academic year. If you are a continuing student who commenced before 1 January 2021 studying units in disciplines with increased contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. For further information visit the Australia Government's Study Assist website.

Domestic Full Fee-paying

These places are offered for postgraduate studies or to CSP ineligible students and tuition fees are not subsidised by the Australian Government. Domestic postgraduate tuition fees are course-based annual fees and the unit fee you pay will vary according to the degree you are studying. To find out more about domestic tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.

International Full Fee-paying

International tuition fees are course-based annual fees and the unit fee you pay will vary according to the degree you are studying. To find out more about international tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.

Semester census dates

It is important to check unit delivery details including location and census date, prior to making decisions about enrolment. Detailed semester and census date information can be found on the Important Dates page.