Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

EU50567 Teaching the English language

Credits: 9

Level: Masters

Modular: no specific semester

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW 100%

Requisites:

In taking this unit you cannot take EU50545 and take EU50546

Aims:
* To provide students with a systematic understanding of concepts and theories related to teaching English as a second language, developing a critical awareness of current problems and making use of insights from EFL research;
* To develop conceptual understanding, which enables students to evaluate these EFL concepts and theories critically and - where appropriate - to propose new hypotheses;
* To enable students to apply with originality the insights they gain from both this unit and from the Theory of Language unit to their teaching;
* To enhance the professional practice of students through more critical awareness and understanding of their own language teaching approaches and methods.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this unit the students will be able to:
* Identify the needs of learners, dealing with the complexities involved both systematically and creatively, demonstrating self-direction and originality and making sound judgements in the absence of complete data;
* Design a programme to meet the needs of a particular learner demonstrating autonomy at a professional or equivalent level;
* Critically analyse the English language they will teach in the classroom, and design, write and adapt materials for teaching English, developing these skills to a high level;
* Implement a needs analysis programme, making sound judgements in complex and unpredictable situations, and critically evaluate both this programme and the materials they have developed;
* Communicate to specialist and non-specialist audiences the complexities of needs analysis and the pedagogic underpinning of lesson planning.
Skills:
The following key skills will be facilitated, so that by the end of this unit students will be better able to:
* structure and communicate ideas effectively orally;
* manage time and work to deadlines;
* participate effectively in groups;
* assess the relevance and importance of the ideas of others;
* evaluate their own performance critically;
* manage personal and professional development and learning;
* identify and solve problems. The following key skills are also assessed, so students will be able to demonstrate, through their assignment, that they are able to:
* reason critically;
* evaluate information critically;
* synthesise information form a variety of sources and identify connections;
* analyse and interpret;
* demonstrate and exercise independent thought;
* plan, conduct and report on an individual investigation;
* structure and communicate ideas effectively in writing.
Content:
The unit will address the following areas; some of these will be individual sessions while others will be themes combined in one session or appearing across more than one session:
* Needs analysis;
* Lesson planning;
* Teaching pronunciation;
* Teaching vocabulary;
* Receptive skills;
* Spoken English skills;
* Written English skills;
* Materials.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07