2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LING5460M Language Teaching in Practice

15 creditsClass Size: 24

Module manager: Niamh Mullen
Email: n.mullen@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisites

LING5440M

Approaches to Linguistics and Language Acquisition

Module replaces

LING5330M Applying Methodology in English Language Teaching

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module extends questions of linguistic theory to the practice of language teaching. The emphasis is on the development of teaching tools such as lesson plans, syllabus and assessment tools. Students will be asked to explore how their own understanding of linguistic theory informs both what they teach and how they teach. This understanding will emerge both from the development of materials and observation of language teaching.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to explore practical questions of language teaching in light of linguistic theory, language acquisition findings and understanding of methodological approaches to language teaching. Students will gain experience with specific teaching tools including course and syllabus design, lesson planning, materials creation and assessment. There will be a balance between developing teaching tools and evaluating samples of existing teaching tools, as well as classroom observation of real language teaching classes.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should:
-have a general understanding of the main issues involved in developing teaching tools such as syllabus, lesson plans, and assessment
-be able to design their own lesson plans
-be able to identify principles of theory which underlie teaching tools, whether their own or existing materials
-be able to consider both questions of theory and practical constraints within language classrooms

Skills outcomes
Students will be able to:
-Write a principled lesson plan
-Identify the theoretical principles which underlie their own lesson plans
-Identify the relevant points of theory in existing teaching materials, language textbooks, and language classes that they observe
-Teach a specific language activity and articulate the rationale behind the language activity

Syllabus

The syllabus will include:
-Lesson Planning
-Course Design, Needs Analysis
-Syllabus Design
-Assessment
-The Reflective Teacher
-Teaching the Four Skills

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
presentation	1	2.00	2.00
Fieldwork	4	1.00	4.00
Lecture	7	1.00	7.00
Practical	1	2.00	2.00
Seminar	7	1.00	7.00
Private study hours			128.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Students will be asked to apply their knowledge as they develop their own language teaching tools or materials. As part of this module, students will be required to observe language classes in LCS and/or the Language Centre. In hourly terms, time outside the observation will be devoted to making connections between the observations and the concepts being explored in the course (4-5 hrs per observation = 16-20 hrs). The main work of this module is for students to explore the application of the theory they learned in the pre-requisite module (Approaches to Linguistics and Language Acquisition) to language teaching. They will be assigned tasks which require the evaluation of methods, and creation of teaching materials and tools. In hourly terms this will require approx 35 total hrs. The reading which will support the lectures is not substantial, requiring approx 25 hours.
The assessment requires the three above-mentioned types of work, but with a specific focus beyond the work associated with the weekly classes. It is expected that 50 hours are required to complete the assessment tasks.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored through seminars which require students to evaluate teaching materials and present their own materials/tools. Students will also develop skills in self-monitoring as a way of developing their own reflective skills as a teacher.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Portfolio	Observation Portfolio	25.00
Essay	Academic rationale for teaching tool, 2,000 words	50.00
Assignment	Teaching Tool = lesson plan, syllabus or assessment	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/03/2018 17:22:53

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