Foreign Language Teaching

1. Course description

Foreign Language Teaching (FLT) builds on the fundamental teaching principles and methods students covered in Language Teaching Foundations but focuses on the teaching of foreign languages. The course consists of a series of theoretical and practical sessions which introduce core concepts, theories, and teaching practices related to the teaching of skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and systems (lexis, grammar) in a foreign language. The fundamental theory underlying the teaching of language in this course is communicative language teaching (CLT), and as such, the course will touch on techniques and frameworks such as loop input; experiential learning; presentation, practice, production (PPP); guided discovery; text-based language teaching; test-teach-test (TTT); and task-based language teaching (TBLT). Students have opportunities to learn best practices of foreign language teaching (FLT) from readings, videos, and observing experienced teachers. They also will put into practice the techniques and strategies they have been exposed to in their micro-teaching lessons in pairs and individually. Students will write lesson plans, create activities and tasks, and observe and reflect on their peers’ teaching as well as on lessons taught by experienced teachers.

1. Rationale

Although CLT is the most widely known FLT methodology in the world, its application in many contexts is limited. To help students build communicative competence, a teacher must learn not only how the language works but also have knowledge of effective methods and strategies to teach the language. This course is fundamental in building these aspects. Sensitizing learners to the practices and principles of CLT not only helps them to become effective foreign language teachers but also provides opportunities for learners to reflect on their own learning, with clear benefits in terms of academic performance and engagement. Learners also develop a range of transferable skills such as organizing and managing groups of people, professionalism, preparation, organization, and interpersonal skills.

1. Main course aim

By the end of this course, students will recognize the principal methods for teaching foreign language skills, subskills, and systems and be able to apply these to plan and teach effective language lessons.

1. Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify theoretical constructs around language skills, subskills, and systems in the teaching of foreign language.
• Analyze and apply the theory and strategies that underpin effective language teaching for listening, reading, writing, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary activities.
• Integrate grammar and vocabulary with the teaching of language skills in activities and lessons.
• Plan, design materials, and teach lessons focused on the teaching of language skills and systems.
• Reflect on own teaching and on the teaching of others.

1. Topics

1. Teaching Receptive Skills: Reading & Listening
   1. Features and functions of reading and listening.
   2. Practical strategies for teaching reading and listening.
2. Teaching Vocabulary (System of langauge)
   1. Aspects of knowing a word, vocabulary teaching methods (controlled, semi-controlled, and free activities), emphasizing teaching vocabulary with the other language skills.
3. Teaching Productive Skills: Speaking & Writing
   1. Theories on how people speak and write.
   2. Practical strategies for teaching speaking and writing to varied populations.
4. Teaching Grammar (System of language)
   1. Introduction to methods of teaching grammar with an emphasis on teaching functional grammar and teaching grammar in combination with language skills.