Bulletin Board - Document Comments

Bulletin Board - Review and Comment

Step 1 of 3: Comment on Document

There are 3 steps in the submission process. You must complete all three steps in one session, otherwise your comments will be lost.

1. Use this Protected Document icon to open a comment box.

2. Type your feedback and then click the"Save Comment" button in the lower-right of the comment box.

3. Do not open more than one comment box at the same time.

4. When you have finished making comments, go to step 2 by clicking on the “Save and Continue” button at the very bottom of this page.

Important Information

During the comment process you are connected to a database. Like internet banking, the session that connects you to the database may time-out due to inactivity or if you close your browser or go to a different tab/window and try to come back.

To ensure that your comments are received:

  1. DO NOT jump between web pages/applications while logging comments.

  2. DO NOT log comments for more than one document at a time.

  3. DO NOT leave your submission unfinished. If you need to take a break, submit your current set of comments now and return later to make a further submission. You will receive a copy of your comments so that you can see what you have already said.

  4. DO NOT exit from the interface until you have completed all three steps of the submission process.  Simply saving a comment in the comment box does not mean it is submitted and if you exit the system, you will not be able to retrieve it later.

When you finalise your submission in step 3 your comments will be emailed to the Document Author with a copy to you, and to policy@mq.edu.au for record keeping purposes.

Academic Language and Literacies Policy

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy specifies the principles and responsibilities that inform the development of students’ academic language and literacies at Macquarie University. For the purpose of this Policy, the term “academic language and literacies” encompasses English language proficiency, academic literacies, and professional communication.

Scope

(2) This Policy applies to all students undertaking preparatory, study abroad, exchange, undergraduate, postgraduate, or higher degree research courses in which English is the language of instruction and assessment.

(3) This Policy applies to all staff of the University and third-party providers involved in the design, approval, delivery, review, and support of academic courses (award and non-award).

(4) This Policy does not apply to students undertaking English Language programs at Macquarie University College. 

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Section 2 - Policy

Principles

(5) The University values linguistic diversity and acknowledges the first and additional languages of students and staff as enriching our community.

(6) The University recognises academic language and literacies as integral to the communicative competencies, disciplinary practice, and academic and professional success of students and staff.

(7) The University acknowledges academic language and literacies as fundamental to:

  1. the core activities of the University;
  2. a student’s successful engagement with course and unit learning; and
  3. employability.

(8) The University regards the achievement of English entry standards as indicative only of a student’s readiness to commence course learning.

(9) The University takes a holistic, developmental approach to academic language and literacies to enrich the student learning journey and improve graduate outcomes and employability.

(10) The University commits to developing all students’ academic language and literacies within course design and delivery.

Shared responsibilities

(11) Responsibility for the development of academic language and literacies is shared between the University and students.

(12) The University is responsible for setting English language proficiency requirements for entry to academic courses (award and non-award) including:

  1. Minimum English language entry requirements for Higher Degree Research courses are set out in the Higher Degree Research Rules.
  2. Minimum English language entry requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees are set out in Schedule 1 of the Admission Policy.
  3. Minimum English language requirements for Macquarie University College Foundation, Diploma or comparable programs are set out in Schedule 2 of the Admission Policy.

(13) Exceptions to English as the language of instruction and assessment may be approved by Academic Senate in special circumstances.

(14) The University is responsible for verifying that students applying for entry to academic courses (award and non-award) have achieved the relevant English language requirements.

(15) The University is responsible for:

  1. ensuring that discipline-specific academic language and literacies are achieved by course completion in accordance with criteria and qualification type descriptors appropriate to the relevant AQF level;
  2. ensuring that progressive academic language and literacies development is explicitly embedded and scaffolded across all courses;
  3. supporting staff to deliver academic language and literacies development in units;
  4. providing explicit feedback to students to guide their development of academic language and literacies;
  5. ensuring that services, resources, and programs for developing students’ academic language and literacies are accessible, appropriately resourced, responsive to the learning needs of identified cohorts, and promoted throughout the student learning journey; and
  6. referring students to these services, resources, and programs as required.

(16) Students are responsible for:

  1. continuing to develop their academic language and literacies by engaging actively in their learning;
  2. responding appropriately to academic language and literacies feedback;
  3. utilising services, resources, and programs to develop their academic language and literacies; and
  4. acting on referrals to these services, resources, and programs.
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Section 3 - Procedures

(17) Nil.

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Section 4 - Guidelines

(18) Nil.

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Section 5 - Definitions

(19) Commonly defined terms are located in the University Glossary. The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Policy:  

  1. English language proficiency – means the ability to use English fluently, flexibly, and appropriately to make and communicate meaning;
  2. academic literacy – refers to the ability to participate effectively in knowledge-making, discursive, and socio-cultural practices in academic contexts; and
  3. professional communication – refers to the ability to understand and adapt language to achieve workplace and professional outcomes.