Issues in Language Acquisition and Learning

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations.

Assessment procedures will follow the policies of the UC Faculty of Education Assessment Guidelines for Students. These can be accessed at Information for Undergraduate and Graduate Students http://www.education.canterbury.ac.nz/for/undergraduate.shtml

Assessment for this course in the Master of TESOL is against defined standards and learning outcomes. Assignments are graded against the UC Common Grading Scale A+ to E. The marks for the assignments will be aggregated for the final grade, based on the assignment weightings.

Grading Scale
Grade    GPA Value        Marks

A+              9            90 – 100
A                8            85 – 89.99
A-               7            80 – 84.99
B+              6            75 – 79.99
B                5            70 – 74.99
B-               4            65 – 69.99
C+              3            60 – 64.99
C                2            55 – 59.99
C-               1            50 – 54.99
D                0            40 – 49.99
E               -1             0 – 39.99

A pass grade is C- or over for the course.

Students must pass all assessment requirements to obtain a final Pass grade for the course. Students must have engaged with all mandatory course readings and webinars prior to grades being presented at the semester examiner’s meeting to pass the course.

Final grades will be determined at an examiners’ meeting at the end of the course and reported using the UC Common Grading Scale.

Classes (face-to-face or web-based) are participatory and therefore require full attendance and engagement. Face-to-face classes, or webinar attendance (either synchronously or asynchronously) is required at all scheduled lectures & workshops in order to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

Web-based components
Aspects of the course will be delivered through the Internet and using Learn (Moodle). Students are required to regularly access online materials and resources and participate in online discussions and interactions in order to meet the course learning outcomes. It is the responsibility of the student to check course announcements weekly, and make sure they are familiar with assessment due dates.

The course will be informally evaluated on an ongoing basis, and formal teaching evaluations take place each year.

The course assessments will be subject to the usual moderation processes as per section 6 of the University of Canterbury Assessment Policy.

No work will be marked if it is handed in 48 hours after the due date without an extension having been granted. Work handed in after the due date, without an extension being granted, and within the 48 hour window period will be subject to 10% penalty per day.

Students need to have access to a networked computer or tablet to participate in the online seminars. They will need a headset or equivalent audio equipment (microphone and earbuds) and a webcam.

Students are encouraged to plan their work so deadlines are met. Extensions are not granted automatically. Under exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness, accident, bereavement, tangi, or critical personal circumstances) individual students may be granted an extension up to two weeks from the due date of the assignment. An extension request should be made at least two full days before the due date of the piece of assessment in writing by email. Applications must be supported by relevant evidence (e.g. medical certificate, letter from counsellor). Extensions will not normally be granted because of pressure of university study, e.g. several pieces of work being due around the same time. Students will be notified of the outcome of their extension application via email.

Resubmissions are not normally permitted.

Where for reasons beyond their control, students are prevented from completing an assessment or suffer significant impairment, they may apply for what is known as “special consideration”. University of Canterbury Special Consideration provisions may apply to impaired performance, non-completion of assessment items, and to late discontinuation (withdrawal) from a course.

A detailed description of special consideration and materials to support the applications process are available at: Special Considerations Process.  


Generally speaking, applications for special considerations should be lodged within five working days of the due date of that assessment item. For more details on this, please refer to the Special Considerations Regulations.



This information replaces any previous references to special consideration, Aegrotat or Backdated (Late) Withdrawal in the Course Information System, Learn or Course Outlines. If you are unclear about the implications or process please discuss with your Course Coordinator or contact the Student Advice team for assistance.

As well as attending classes, it is essential that all students regularly access the course Learn site. All course information such as the course kaupapa, notices, assessment information, required and recommended readings, audio recordings of some lectures, and other teaching resources etc. will be available on this site

Students will be expected to submit their assessments via the online assessment system in the Learn (Moodle) class site by 11.59 pm on or before the due date. The assessment system will normally automatically put assessment work through the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism.

It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated. (Students who have unreliable internet access are advised to attend to this early in the course to prevent last minute pressures).  

For ICT help call our free call number 0508 UC IT HELP (0508 824 843) or on 03 369 5000. Monday to  Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding public and university holidays).
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