Diploma in Modern Languages

This degree for students admitted under Rule (b) or Rule (c) to qualify for the award undertake a 20 day placement.

These placements are integrated into EDLA315 Teaching in a Bilingual Context: PrEx 20 days All professional experience placements in a school setting must meet the following requirements to be counted for placement. The school must:

  • Assess teacher proficiency against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers;
  • Use NESA approved syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses;
  • Be a NESA registered or a NSW Department of Education school (or equivalent interstate settings). For information regarding international schools, please read the OPL's Important Information.

All placements must be in a mainstream classroom unless otherwise specified.

Please select Primary or Secondary based of the information provided below about Rule (b) or Rule (c)

To qualify for the award candidates admitted under Rule (b) or Rule (c) must pass units to the value of 24 credit points in one language at 200-level or above; and


(i) (for candidates wishing to qualify in a language as an additional secondary teaching area) complete EDLA385 Languages Teaching I, EDLA386 Languages Teaching II and EDLA315 Teaching in a Bilingual Context: PrEx 20 days; or


(ii) (for candidates wishing to qualify as a primary languages teacher) complete EDLA385 Languages Teaching I and EDLA330 Teaching Languages in the Primary School and EDLA315 Teaching in a Bilingual Context: PrEx 20 days.

EDLA315 (PrEx 20) - Primary

To qualify for the award candidates admitted under Rule (b) or Rule (c) must pass units to the value of 24 credit points in one language at 200-level or above; and for candidates wishing to qualify as a primary languages teacher in which completes EDLA385 Languages Teaching I and EDLA330 Teaching Languages in the Primary School and EDLA315 Teaching in a Bilingual Context: PrEx 20 days.

This 20-day placement applies specifically to teacher education students electing to complete a 20-day primary teaching specialisation professional experience, in a language that is other than English. Students should consult the Course and Units Catalogue for more information.

Specific Requirements

This is an elective 20-day block placement in a primary school setting where the teacher education student will be assessed against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Planning for teaching this subject should align with the NSW Languages K-10 Framework.

Teacher education students will undertake this placement individually as outlined in the Specific Requirements. Approval for this professional experience can only occur after initial consultation with the Office for Professional Learning as the type of school setting will determine the outcomes for the placement.

EDLA315 Specific Requirements (PDF, 823.7 KB)

EDLA315 Pre-Placement Plan (PDF, 207.66 KB)

Teaching Load

  • Week 1:  
    • Classroom immersion, establishing students’ prior knowledge of the language, some observation.
    • Small group and team-teaching, assisted planning and teaching (at least two full lessons by Day Five with guidance from the supervising teacher.
  • Week 2:
    • Working towards teaching two lessons each day.
    • Continued close collaboration with the supervising teacher.
  • Week 3:
    • Exploring a range of teaching strategies with clear learning goals, and assisted planning by teaching of up to 10 hours for the week.
    • Implementing planning through a variety of innovative and multi-modal resources
  • Week 4: 
    • Planning for and teaching up to a minimum of 10 hours per week.
    • Possible implementation of a whole class or whole school culminating cultural activity/project.

Report Requirements

  • Interim Report - at the midpoint of the placement
  • Final Report - on the final day of the placement

Placements that can be accepted

  • A primary school where the subject of Language other than English (LOTE), is part of the school’s curriculum.
  • A primary school where the subject of Language other than English (LOTE), is not part of the school’s curriculum and through negotiation with the supervising teacher, will introduce the language to the class/classes by way of a pre-planned unit of work.
  • A primary school where the subject of Language other than English (LOTE) is part of the school’s language immersion or bilingual program.

Placements that cannot be accepted

  • Any setting that is not a primary school.
EDLA315 (PrEx 20 - Secondary

To qualify for the award candidates admitted under Rule (b) or Rule (c) must pass units to the value of 24 credit points in one language at 200-level or above; and candidates wishing to qualify in a language as an additional secondary teaching area) complete EDLA385 Languages Teaching I, EDLA386 Languages Teaching II and EDLA315 Teaching in a Bilingual Context: PrEx 20 days;

This 20-day placement applies specifically to teacher education students electing to complete a 20-day primary teaching specialisation professional experience, in a language that is other than English. Students should consult the Course and Units Catalogue for more information.

Specific Requirements

This is an elective 20-day block placement in a  secondary school setting where the teacher education student will be assessed against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Planning for teaching this subject should align with the NSW Languages K-10 Framework.

Teacher education students will undertake this placement individually as outlined in the Specific Requirements. Approval for this professional experience can only occur after initial consultation with the Office for Professional Learning as the type of school setting will determine the outcomes for the placement.

EDLA315 Specific Requirements  (PDF, 279.39 KB)

Teaching Load

  • Week 1:  
    • Classroom immersion, small group and team teaching, assisted planning and teaching a full session on Day Five.
  • Week 2:
    • Working towards teaching of 2 lessons each day.
  • Week 3:
    • Exploring a range of teaching strategies with clear learning goals, and assisted planning for teaching of up to 10 hours for the week.
  • Week 4: 
    • Planning for and teaching up to a minimum of 10 hours per week.

Report Requirements

  • Interim Report - at the midpoint of the placement
  • Final Report - on the final day of the placement

Placements that can be accepted

  • A secondary  school where the subject of Language other than English (LOTE), is part of the school’s curriculum.
  • A secondary school where the subject of Language other than English (LOTE), is not part of the school’s curriculum and through negotiation with the supervising teacher, will introduce the language to the class/classes by way of a pre-planned unit of work.
  • A secondary school where the subject of Language other than English (LOTE) is part of the school’s language immersion or bilingual program.

Placements that cannot be accepted

  • Any setting that is not a secondary school.