Teaching the Language Skills

Summary module description:

Aims:
This course provides an introduction to the processes involved in the development of the oral/aural (i.e., listening and speaking) and literacy (i.e., reading and writing) skills in a second language. The course also provides an overview of current and effective methods of teaching in ESL/EFL contexts, focusing on listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, it is expected that students will be able to:
? Outline major processes involved in the development of the four language skills in a second language at level 5;
? Motivate and explain the use of particular techniques and methods for the teaching of the four language skills at level 5;
? Explain how select issues (e.g., vocabulary, grammar) contribute to the development of select language skills (e.g., reading, writing) at level 5;
? Evaluate teaching materials for the teaching of select language skills at level 5, and in particular identify how they reflect particular methods for teaching, or theories of learning the four skills;
? Develop analytical skills at level 5 through analysis of sample materials and research data in course readings.
Additional outcomes:
Through experience of completing the module tasks, students will develop oral skills, in individual presentations, group work and pair work.

Outline content:
The course will cover the following topics: the movement toward skills integration and the limitations of a discrete-skills approach; issues in learning oral/aural (speaking, listening) and literacy (reading, writing) skills in a second language; current and effective methods of teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing; select issues related to the language skills (e.g., vocabulary, grammar); evaluation of current teaching materials for select language skills in a second language.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and seminar-style class discussion, including group and pair work. There will be readings and tasks to complete between classes.

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written assignment including essay 100%

Other information on summative assessment:
Coursework

One essay of 1,000-1,500 words - 40%
One essay of 1,500-2,000 words - 60%

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.