Teaching English as a Foreign Language II

Aims

Aims

The module aims to focus on the practical aspects of English language teaching in order to ensure that participants are equipped with the essential skills and experience to prepare, plan and deliver successful lessons in a teaching context. Students will have the opportunity to consider aspects of current English language teaching theory and develop their awareness of how these theories translate to the classroom to influence teaching practice.

Participants will take part in a topic focused seminar/lecture each week and will then be given a related practical peer teaching task which they will prepare, deliver and discuss with the tutor and fellow students. Through these reflection sessions, students will develop the ability to analyse their own and other student-teacher’s lesson planning and delivery in light of the principles emphasised in ELT theory. 

By the conclusion of this module, learners will have acquired:

• a systematic understanding of the relationship between teaching approaches, procedures and techniques and the processes of language learning
• the ability to deal with complex language forms and meanings and use their creativity to make judgements regarding how these forms and meanings might be taught
• a critical awareness of the potential effectiveness of language-teaching interventions in given learning contexts
• the ability to demonstrate originality and autonomy in the planning and execution of English Language lessons
• a comprehensive understanding of action research as it may be applied to English Language Teaching
• the opportunity to continue to advance their knowledge and ability in ELT

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

This module will be capped at 21.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed:

• E02I Teaching English as a Foreign Language I (LAN00002I)

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

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

Teaching programme

Teaching materials

The following is a sample reading list:

• Harmer, J. (2007). The practice of English language teaching. Harlow: Pearson.
• Harmer, J. (2007). How to teach English. Harlow: Pearson.
• Spratt, M., Pulverness, A. and Williams M. (2011). The TKT Course. Cambridge: CUP.
• Scrivener, J. (2011). Learning Teaching. Harlow: Pearson.
• Thornbury, S. (2007). The CELTA course. Cambridge: CUP.

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

• Plan and teach a series of English language lesson segments.
• Write a reflective journal.
• Feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Summative assessment and feedback

• Teach a 20-minute lesson segment worth 50% of module mark, in Summer Term weeks 2, 3 or 4. 
• Participate in a 10-minute feedback session on own lesson worth 30% of module mark, in Summer Term weeks 2, 3 or 4.
• Participate in feedback sessions of assessed teaching of peers worth 20% of module mark, in Summer Term weeks 2-4.
• Feedback to be provided within four weeks. Overall module mark on University scale available by the end of the Summer Term.

Skills

Transferable skills developed in this module

All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the specific skills in language or linguistics that the module teaches.

This module will provide you with real teaching practice opportunities where you will be required to plan, organise and teach English language exercises. You will also be asked to reflect on (analyse and evaluate) both your own teaching and that of colleagues on the module so that you can develop a stronger understanding of how English language teaching works in practice. This will develop your presentation and communication skills as well as your knowledge of language analysis as seen through the eyes of English language learners.

Follow this link to hear how past students use transferable skills from their degree in their current jobs.