Developing Approaches to Language Teaching

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Awareness of new trends (such as technology) in the design of teaching materials.
• A critical understanding of principles in language teaching methodologies, theories of language and theories of language learning.
• Knowledge of reflective practice and its role in professional development.
• The ability to make links between theory and practice, teaching and pedagogic principles.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Support language learning through the design of appropriate pedagogic resources.
• The ability to make links between theory and practice, teaching and pedagogic principles.
• How to write a detailed lesson plan and supporting justification for your pedagogical choices, using appropriate literature to explain your decisions.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• How to express, support (using researched literature) and position your views through a written assignment.
• Identify and use a wide range of reference resources, printed and electronic.
• Communicate language teaching, applied linguistic and educational work in a variety of written formats.
• Develop and maintain a personal bibliography.
• Use information technology appropriately when presenting your work and in your teaching.

This module will focus on the development of understanding the links between theory and appropriate practice in the language classroom.

Topics dealt with in the sessions will include:

• Critical approaches to language teaching.
• Theories of language and theories of language learning.
• Teaching knowledge/skills and the design of appropriate materials.
• Teaching language to adults.
• Reflective practice and its role in professional development.
• Technology and language learning.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

• Seminars with content and opportunities for discussion in groups.

Learning activities include:

• Individual study.
• Preparing for discussions in groups.
• Reflecting on others' classroom practices.
• Developing and discussing practical classroom materials.

Innovative or special features of this module:

• Weekly practical tasks feed into sessions.
• Observation of lesson videos to evaluate language teaching practices and to develop reflection on practice techniques.
• Evaluation of materials for communicative language teaching.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Variety of publicly accessible teaching videos via YouTube or Teachers TV.

Textbooks

P Ur (2012). A Course in Language Teaching : Practice and Theory. Cambridge University Press.

K Johnson (2001). An Introduction to Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Pearson Education Ltd.

J Scrivener (2011). Learning Teaching: The Essential Guide to English Language Teaching. Macmillan.

J Harmer (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching. Pearson Longman.

Carter R. & Nunan D. (Eds.) (2001). Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Cambridge University Press..

J Richards & T Rodgers (2001). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press.

Knapp, K & Seidlhofer, B (Eds) (2009). Handbook of Foreign Language Communication and Learning. Mouton de Gruyter.

Kumaravadivelu, B. (2004). Understanding Language Teaching: From Method to Postmethod. Routledge.

G Hall (2011). Exploring English Language Teaching: Language In Action. Routledge.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

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.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External