Overview
This unit will focus on phonetics and phonetic transcription of speech. You will apply this theoretical knowledge to practice across culturally and linguistically diverse settings. You will form an understanding of the relationship between the vocal tract and speech sounds produced, as well as the interface between phonetics, phonology and suprasegmentals. You will be required to listen to and transcribe speech samples using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and Australian-English vowel symbols. This unit will provide you with a fundamental skill required in speech pathology.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE comments and instructor feedback
Quiz questions didn't always support learning consolidation.
It is recommended that the unit coordinator review quiz questions to ensure they reflect knowledge and practice transcription scenarios common in speech pathology, and also allow meaningful feedback.
Feedback from SUTE comments and instructor feedback
The requirement for narrow transcription in assessment 2 does not align with common practice in speech pathology.
It is recommended that the unit coordinator change the final assessment to require broad rather than narrow transcription in order to mirror typical practice scenarios.
Feedback from SUTE comments
Textbook readings were complex and recorded lectures and tutorials drew mostly from the readings.
It is recommended that the unit coordinator review the selection of readings to determine if alternative sources may support improved learning and practical application.
- Apply anatomical knowledge of the shape and formation of the vocal tract to describe speech production
- Describe variations in Australian English and other varieties of English, including differences in word and prosodic structure
- Identify phonemes and their allophonic variations within Australian English
- Phonetically transcribe connected speech using the International Phonetic Alphabet symbols and Australian English vowel symbols
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 60% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Australian English pronunciation and transcription.
Edition: 2nd (2017)
Authors: Australian English pronunciation and transcription.
ambridge University Press.
ISBN: 9781316639269
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.zussino@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to phonetics and speech anatomy
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
English consonants
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Australian English vowels
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Stress and intonation in Australian English
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Broad vs narrow transcription
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No classes
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review of concepts from week 1-5 and transcription application.
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Phonetics and linguistics
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Australian Aboriginal language and dialectical variation
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Practical application of phonetics
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Transcription of disordered speech
Chapter
Please see e-Reading list in moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and placement information. Face to face tutorial only.
No recorded lectures
Chapter
No readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Guest Lecture (face to face tutorial). The experiences of a new graduate speech pathologist.
No recorded lectures.
Chapter
No readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment task requires you to complete three online quizzes throughout the term. Each online quiz will be worth 20% (60% in total). Each quiz will contain mainly multiple choice questions however may also include short answer questions. The number and type of questions for each quiz will be posted on the Moodle page at least one week prior to each quiz opening. Once you enter/commence each quiz, you will have 60 minutes to answer all questions i.e., complete the quiz. Please note that per section 5.54 in the Higher Education Assessment Policy, late penalties do not apply to this assessment task. If you do not attend or complete this assessment task at the specified date/time, you will receive a mark of zero. In the event that you are unable to commence or complete the assessment task for reasons outlined in the Higher Education Assessment Policy, you must submit an extension request through Moodle.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. The AI Declaration will be included as the last question of the Moodle Quiz.
Grace period:
As this assessment involves online quizzes, the 72-hour grace period does not apply.
Online quiz one
Content assessed: week 1-3
Opens: Monday, 4 August 2025, 7:00 AM
Closes: Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 7:00 AM
Online quiz two
Content assessed: weeks 4-6
Opens: Monday, 1 September 2025, 7:00 AM
Closes: Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 7:00 AM
Online quiz three
Content assessed: weeks 7-9
Opens: Monday, 22 September 2025, 7:00 AM
Closes: Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 7:00 AM
3
Other
The date and time each quiz will be open has been included under 'task description'. This information will also be provided on the Moodle page.The due time is in Queensland time (AEST). As this assessment involves online quizzes, the 72-hour grace period does not apply.
Feedback will be provided to students within two weeks of each quiz closing
Students will be assessed on their knowledge of the anatomical and theoretical basis of phonetics, including English consonants, vowels, word and prosodic structure, as well as describing variations and differences in Australian English and other varieties of English. Students will also be assessed on their knowledge of phonemic transcription in Australian English. Students will demonstrate this knowledge through correct responses to multiple choice and short answer questions on online quizzes.
- Apply anatomical knowledge of the shape and formation of the vocal tract to describe speech production
- Describe variations in Australian English and other varieties of English, including differences in word and prosodic structure
2 Practical Assessment
You will be required to transcribe 30 utterances of a child’s speech. For this assessment task, you are required to use phonemic (BROAD) transcription. Your emphasis should be on clearly identifying the phonemes used by the child in the video rather than subtle variations on the phonemes. You do not need to use diacritics or stress markers. For example, if the child was trying to say “bit” but used a /p/ at the beginning (a different phoneme), you would transcribe as /pɪt/. If the child additionally added aspiration to the final /t/, you would not need to denote the aspiration (a variation on the phoneme).
The steps to complete this assessment have been outlined below:
1. A video will be released on Moodle on Tuesday October 7th at 9am (Week 12). You will have 48 hours to listen to the video, and upload your completed transcription of the video on Thursday October 9th before 9am. You will have access to the video for the full 48 hour period.
2. You must complete your transcription on the provided form, called “Assessment 2 Transcription Form.” To aid in your transcription, the orthographic (spelled) transcription of the utterances has been included on this form for you. This form will be released in Moodle one week before the video is released.
3. You must transcribe the child’s speech using phonemic (broad) transcription, using the IPA symbols covered in class and in your textbook. You will use Mitchell-Delbridge (MD) Australian vowels.
4. You may transcribe by hand initially. Once you are happy with your transcriptions, you will convert them to a typed transcription in the Word document using the IPA phonetic symbols program https://ipa.typeit.org/full/. You must upload the typed version, using the form provided, to Moodle by the due date/time.
Please note:
Please note that per section 5.54 in the Higher Education Assessment Policy, late penalties do not apply to this assessment task. If you do not complete this assessment task at the specified date/time, you will receive a mark of zero. In the event that you are unable to attend or complete the assessment task for reasons outlined in the Higher Education Assessment Policy, you must submit an extension request through Moodle
Grace period:
As this assessment involves a timed take-home test, the 72-hour grace period does not apply.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. You must include the AI Declaration on your cover page, explaining if/how you used AI to support your work.
Week 12 Thursday (9 Oct 2025) 9:00 am AEST
As this is a professional assessment task that must be completed during a defined time period, late submissions are not allowed. Students who do not submit the transcription form by the due date/time will receive a mark of 0 out of 40. As this assessment involves a timed take-home test, the 72-hour grace period does not apply.
Exam Week Thursday (23 Oct 2025)
Feedback will be uploaded to moodle
Students will be assessed on their ability to accurately transcribe a conversational sample using phonemic transcription. There are 109 words to be transcribed across the 30 utterances. Your grade will be determined by the total number of words transcribed completely correctly. For example, if you made 3 transcription errors on one word and 1 transcription error on another word, your grade would be 107/109 because only 2 words had errors. This grade will be converted to a mark out of 40, as this assessment is worth 40% of your final grade. For example, a grade of 107/109 would convert to a mark of 39.27 out of 40.
- Identify phonemes and their allophonic variations within Australian English
- Phonetically transcribe connected speech using the International Phonetic Alphabet symbols and Australian English vowel symbols
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
