Teaching English as a Foreign Language I

Aims

Aims

The aim of the module is to introduce students to teaching English as a Foreign Language, covering:

• language learning methods used in TEFL, including theories of second language acquisition and psychological approaches
• controversial topics such as the spread of World Englishes, the development of a Lingua Franca Core and the appropriate model of English to be used in the classroom
• learner profiles and the aspects of English that pose difficulties

At the end of this module, students will typically have a sound knowledge of       

• TEFL methods and approaches throughout the 20th century to the present day
• the political controversies arising from English as a world language, including language death and linguistic imperialism
• World Englishes – which model(s) of English are / should be taught.
• models of language learning
• theories of language acquisition as relevant to the language classroom, including sociocultural and psychological considerations
• the language system, i.e. be able to describe features of English and so explain mistakes 
• the typical linguistic problems that learners experience 

In addition, you will gain experience in creating a written ‘learner profile’. This task (which is part of the summative assessment) mirrors an assessment task required for the University of Cambridge’s Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), an internationally-recognised teaching qualification. 

NOTE: this module does not provide a qualification in teaching English as a foreign language. However, it is excellent preparation for professional TEFL qualifications.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this module.

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

Typically, 2 contact hours per week over the whole teaching period: 1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar.

Teaching programme

The module covers:

• the history of TEFL from 1880 to the present day
• the political controversies arising from English as a world language, including language death and linguistic imperialism
• World Englishes - which model(s) of English are/should be taught
• models of language learning
• theories of language acquisition as relevant to the language classroom
• sociocultural considerations in the EFL classroom
• the language system, i.e. be able to describe features of English and so explain mistakes

Teaching materials

The following is a sample reading list:

• Brown, H. D. (2006). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. 5th ed. New York: Longman.
• Crystal, D. (2003). English as a Global Language. 2nd ed. Cambridge: CUP.
• Dörnyei, Z. (2002). Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom. Cambridge: CUP.
• Harmer, J. (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching. 4th ed. Harlow: Pearson Longman.
• Jenkins, J. (2003). World Englishes: a resource book for students. London: Routledge.
• Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic Imperialism. Oxford: OUP.
• Richards, J. C. & T. S. Rodgers (2001) Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. 2nd ed. Cambridge: CUP.
• Scrivener, J. (2005) Learning Teaching. Oxford: Macmillan Heinemann.
• Schneider, E.W. (2011) English Around The World - An Introduction. Cambridge: CUP.
• Wardhaugh, R. (2006) An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. 5th ed. Malden, MA; London: Blackwell

Suggestions for reading before the module starts

Harmer (2007) and Scrivener (2011) in the list above are particularly approachable, if you want to do some preparatory reading.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Formative exercises to be assigned during the teaching period.
• Feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Summative assessment and feedback

• Essay (learner profile) worth 30% of module mark, due at noon on Thursday of Summer Term week 1. 
• A 2.5-hour closed examination worth 70% of module mark, in Summer Term weeks 5-7.
• Feedback on essay to be provided within four weeks of submission date. Overall module mark on University scale available by the end of the summer term. Sight of examination scripts by appointment by the end of the summer term.