FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Course Descriptions

ELTM501 - Methodology & Practicum Overview of the range of methodological approaches to language teaching. Practical training in current approaches (particularly the communicative approach and task-based learning). Teaching the four macro skills and integrated skills at various levels. Designing and implementing classroom tasks and interactive language teaching.Materials development and language teaching technology. Classroom observation and classroom-based teacher training. Observation and evaluation of students’ teaching skills, both in simulated and classroom environments.

ELTM502 - Language Testing The course presents a practical approach to language testing. Although the theoretical background will be discussed, the focus will be on what useful and reliable instruments are available for classroom language teachers. There will therefore be considerable practical work on constructing tests and analysing test results. The course will also involve some basic statistics using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) computer program.

ELTM503 - Materials Development & Evaluation Reviewing methods of evaluating language teaching materials and adaptation techniques and applying evaluation and adaptation criteria to materials currently employed; determining appropriate discovery procedures for developing effective language teaching materials through applied research.

ELTM504 - Syllabus Design The course provides teachers with tools and techniques for analysing and improving the syllabuses with which they work. It also provides concepts and procedures for teachers to develop their own syllabuses, outlining theoretical issues and practical considerations. It includes analysis of the following areas: socio-political and institutional aspects of course design; learner profiles and needs analysis; goals, aims and objectives; content selection, grading and sequencing; choice of tasks and activities; assessment and evaluation procedures.

ELTM505 - Second Language Acquisition The course presents theories of how learners learn languages. It involves a critical evaluation of research and its theoretical basis in second language acquisition and learning, together with its implications for classroom practice. The aim of this course is to extend the participants’ knowledge of research into the theories of SLA and to explore the various pedagogical implications. Topics will include the nature and scope of SLA research and theoretical models, error analysis, contrastive analysis, universal grammar, inter-language, automaticity, discourse analysis, affective factors, individual differences, and the role of formal instruction.

ELTM507 - Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) The course presents an overview of CALL and its potential for second language classrooms. It aims to provide a practical introduction to the use of computers in the teaching of foreign languages. It will explore ways in which computer work can be integrated into the language curriculum. Participants will be introduced to a variety of CALL programs, and will be expected to design a software evaluation framework and present a teaching session in which computer technology is integrated.

ELTM508 - Discourse Analysis Discourse Analysis is concerned with the description of written and spoken language in use. It aims to identify systems and patterns within discourse and to relate these features to the context in which language is produced. This module will focus on English language data and will introduce some principal issues in the description of discourse, such as conversation structure, exchange structure, coherence and cohesion in text, and the organisation of information. The module comprises two complementary components: i) an outline of the main approaches to the description of discourse, and ii) workshop sessions applying these approaches to naturally occurring samples of language, including political interview, classroom and clinical interaction, personal anecdote, scientific and academic text.

ELTM509 - Linguistics for English Language Teaching Contributions of linguistics to the field of foreign language teaching and current approaches to the linguistic analysis of English. The course looks at how the insights gained from descriptive linguistics can help the language teacher better support his/her students learning

ELTM510 - Literature in the Teaching of English Significant contributions of literature to the process and purpose of learning English as a foreign language; poetry, prose and drama in the EFL classroom; approaches to selecting texts for different levels of learners.

ELTM512 - Curriculum Evaluation The course offers teachers the means to evaluate classroom practices, materials, course books, language programs and teachers . The following dimensions of evaluation will be examined in depth using the framework “ what, who, when and how of the evaluation process.” These topics are covered in detail: types of evaluation, key concepts in evaluation, information gathering techniques, measurement and assessment, ethical issues in evaluation, hidden curriculum, curriculum decision-making, curriculum management, curriculum implementation and change.

ELTM515 - English for Specific Purposes This course traces the origins and development of ESP and its relationship to ELT in general. It examines the various defining characteristics of ESP that have been suggested in the literature and explores a variety of approaches to ESP Course Design and implementation. Consideration is given to the role of the ESP teacher and to methodology in ESP. An important contemporary concern is with the management of ESP programs. The module will cover the following topics: Introduction to ESP, the origins and development of ESP, ESP course design and the ESP syllabus.

ELTM521 - Reflective Teaching Classroom-based evaluation and its implications and reflections for second language learning; raising awareness for reflective practice to improve classroom teaching; raising awareness for professional coaching and mentoring.

ELTM530 - MA ELT Term-Project In order to complete the requirements for the MA/ELT non-thesis option, students are required to produce a term project, the topic of which has to be approved by the Department and the standard of which must be appropriate for a Master`s degree.