Module overview
This module is for experienced teachers only (at least 2 years + teaching practice) as it draws extensively on students’ theoretical and practical knowledge of language teaching methodologies in specific national and institutional contexts with particular learner groups. The aim of this module is to give a detailed overview of different methods and approaches to language teaching, along with their theoretical underpinnings regarding language, learning, and pedagogy. We investigate a range of contemporary approaches to curriculum and syllabus design and their implications for language classrooms. Students will be familiarised with different ways to evaluate course-books and to design teaching material appropriate to specific learner groups and contexts.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- major language teaching approaches and methods, especially those within the communicative approach
- issues of planning in language teaching and implementation (different forms of curricula, syllabus and their relation to course material and assessment)
- Analysis and evaluation of course-books
- Links between theory and practice, teaching and pedagogic principles
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Communicate about language teaching and learning in a range of formats and registers, spoken and written, for a range of audiences;
- Use information technology where appropriate.
- Access theoretical and research materials and assess relative strengths and weaknesses;
- Identify, select and use a wide range of professional/ authentic materials from different sources;
- Monitor your own progress and evaluate your understanding of key concepts;
- Develop and maintain module notes and bibliography;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Formulate problems and issues in language education, which most directly suit your professional and academic milieu;
- Reflectively reassess your individual experience in language teaching and learning.
- Evaluate language teaching materials in terms of pedagogic principles and their underlying theoretical rationale;
- Assess the value of a range of methodological approaches to particular contexts;
- Select and evaluate relevant academic publications and discuss them critically; Analyse and critically assess language teaching in relation to language learning;
Syllabus
After providing an overview of general learning theories, the core of this module will focus on the methodologies of teaching foreign languages, with English being used as the most frequent, but not the only, example. Modern approaches and methods will be discussed in the light of their theoretical underpinnings, including their conceptualisations of language, learning and pedagogy. A clear focus will be given to Communicative Language Teaching and Task-Based-Language Teaching. A range of contemporary approaches to curriculum and syllabus design will be discussed, alongside different approaches to course-book evaluation material design.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
Lecturer and student presentations;
Presentation and analysis of video and teaching materials;
Discussion of pre-read articles and book chapters;
Group activities and exercises.
Learning activities include
Reading of key texts;
Presentations;
Video data analysis;
Evaluation of teaching materials
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 126 |
Teaching | 24 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Gray, J. (ed.) (2013). Critical Perspectives on Language Teaching Materials. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
McGrath, I. (2016). Materials evaluation and design for Language Teaching. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Hedge, T. (2000). Teaching and Learning in the Language Classroom. Oxford: OUP.
Walsh, S. (2013). Classroom Discourse and Teacher Development. Edinburgh: Routledge.
Savignon, S. (Ed) (2002). Interpreting Communicative Language Teaching. Yale University Press.
Richards, J and Rodgers, T (2001). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press.
Thornbury, S (2001). Uncovering grammar.. Oxford: Macmillan.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Abstract and Presentation | 20% |
Written assignment | 80% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External