Module QXL-2253:
Teaching English in the Classroom

Module Facts

Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Athanasia Papastergiou

Overall aims and purpose

This module introduces students to theoretical and practical aspects of teaching English, examining both teaching in primary and secondary schools as well as teaching English as a second or foreign language.

Since learning English is now a key part of education programmes across most of the world, this module provides students with an overview of cutting-edge research into this field, allowing to students to explore how people learn English grammar (speaking, reading, writing and comprehension) and gain insights into the skills teachers need in order to teach learners from different backgrounds. This module aims to encourage the understanding of key principles related to best practice in teaching English, stimulating critical analysis and reflection of the teaching of English and use of Linguistics in primary and secondary schools, as well as English as a Foreign Language (EFL), and to provide a guide to the major issues and available literature on the teaching of English.

This module will be of interest to students studying linguistics, the English language, modern languages and cultures, or related subjects. It will be of particular relevance to students who have an interest in teaching English (or other languages) and developing their knowledge of the field.

Course content

Students will learn about topics such as the following:

  • Teaching grammar
  • Teaching phonetics
  • Reading skills and reading comprehension
  • Teaching literature
  • Teaching English in ESL classrooms
  • Teaching English in EFL classrooms
  • Bi-Multilingual/Heritage Education
  • Teaching English to pupils with developmental disorders or disabilities

Assessment Criteria

excellent

A: Student has achieved a thorough standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes; or student has demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in one or more learning outcomes together with a good overall standard: student has achieved a thorough understanding of the subject, both in terms of content and theory; student is able to apply concepts clearly and accurately; substantial evidence of critical and original thought and analysis; clear, logical argument; high level of communicative competence; free from irrelevant material and errors of spelling and punctuation; evidence of extensive reading beyond basic texts and clear and accurate references to source material.

good

B: Student has achieved a better-than-average standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes, and has a clear and accurate understanding of concepts; ability to apply concepts to data critically and thoughtfully; evidence of wide reading and clear and accurate reference to source materials; free from misunderstanding and errors of content; free from irrelevant material.

threshold

Threshold D: Student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all the learning outcomes. Student can demonstrate a minimum level of understanding of the basic concepts and be able to apply them to data with some degree of accuracy.

Learning outcomes

  1. Students will show a developing understanding of some of the major issues in research on English language teaching.

  2. Students will show a developing understanding of theoretical aspects of teaching English in primary and secondary schools as well as teaching English as a second or foreign language.

  3. Students will show a developing understanding of the practical aspects of teaching the English language in the classroom in an informed manner on approaches to this subject.

  4. Students will be able to demonstrate a developing familiarity with and an ability to use appropriately the specialist terminology associated with the subject

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Short Essay 30.00
Microteaching presentation and reflection 15.00
Final Exam 55.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

One 2 hour lecture per week over 11 teaching weeks.

 22
Tutorial

Students are encouraged to see the lecturer on a one-to-one basis during published office hours (or by appointment) to discuss issues with the module content, seek clarification on topics and discussions, and discuss feedback on assessments and class exercises.

 2
Seminar

One 1 hour seminar per fortnight (5 over the 11 weeks) for discussion of issues from lectures, exercise tasks and brief presentation tasks; Seminars will include practical problem solving and analytical exercises via individual and group work.

 5
Private study

Directed Reading - students are given required reading each week (of about 2 hours) on the topic of that week's lecture.

 171

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Writing & scholarly conventions - students will be able to present data, argumentation, findings and references in written form in keeping with the conventions current in language science and English language studies.
  • Problem solving - students will be able to evidence problem-solving skills in formulating problems (factual, empirical, theoretical) in precise terms, identifying key issues, and developing the confidence to address challenging problems using a variety of different approaches
  • Personal organisation - students will develop the ability to undertake self-directed study and learning with appropriate time-management
  • Learning to learn - students will learn to reflect upon, modify and improve their learning strategies
  • Working effectively with others - students will develop the ability to work well with others as part of a group or a team
  • Fluency, confidence and proficiency in the use of English -students will demonstrate their ability and proficiency to use and understand and instruct others in English in a range of academic and classroom contexts.
  • Effective communication - students will develop the ability to communicate effectively, appropriately and confidently, in a range of contexts, to different audience types, and making use of a range of supporting materials
  • Knowledge of linguistic theory and application - students will demonstrate a detailed knowledge of terms, issues, principles, aspects and best practices related to the study of human language and linguistics.
  • Understanding of the nature and organisation of language - students will demonstrate detailed knowledge of observations and findings relating to various aspects of linguistic phenomena and organization.
  • Proficiency in the use of English in reading, writing, speaking and/or listening - students will demonstrate proficiency in their ability to use and understand English in a range of different contexts and via different media.

Resources

Resource implications for students

There are no resource implications.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/qxl-2253.html

Reading list

QXL- 2253 English Teaching in Classroom Reading List

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: