Course syllabus

LANGTCHG 300 - Theory and Practice of Language Teaching

SEMESTER TWO, 2020

15 points

Course Convenor and Lecturer: Lizzy Roe  email: l.roe@auckland.ac.nz

Calendar Description
A general introduction to English language teaching. This course requires students to undertake a study of current theory and practice relating to the teaching of the knowledge systems of English and of language skills.

Pre-requisite: LANGTCHG 101 or 202 or 30 points passed at Stage II or above or approval of Academic Head or nominee

Course Description
This course aims to develop a critical understanding of principles and practices of teaching English as a second/foreign language in various contexts, with a particular focus on teaching language systems (grammar and vocabulary) and macro-skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Various issues related to language teaching and learning will be explored, including how to maximise students’ proficiency in English as an additional language, and how to assess that proficiency.

Course Outcomes
At the completion of this course,  students will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the dimensions of effective language pedagogy and how to apply this knowledge in various language teaching situations
• understand how to plan, deliver and assess language skills/systems proficiency for learners in an effective manner
• demonstrate evidence of skills in critical thinking, academic literacy and collaborative discussion/presentation

Course Delivery
The course is taught through a combination of lectures, group discussions and group presentations in class.  Every week there is a 2-hour lecture and, from week 3 onwards, a 1-hour tutorial which runs immediately after the lecture.

Note that the lectures are recorded but capture only the lecturer’s audio and visuals of the powerpoint slides. Lectures are ‘interactive’ with pair/group activities completed by students throughout the lecture. The microphone will not pick up student discussions. For privacy reasons, the tutorials will not be recorded.

Prescribed Text: The core prescribed text for this course is:

Ur, P. (2012). A course in English language teaching. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

This book will need to be purchased because it represents the core material explored in the course, including a range of activities that will be carried out in class. The text is not available as an e-book through the library catalogue but it represents a valuable resource that will be of use as a key reference text beyond the course and in future language teaching contexts. It is therefore considered a good investment both for the present course and for the future.

Assessment

This course is assessed via 100 % coursework (no final exam), as follows:

Assignment 1  10%
Test  30%
Reading Logs  20%
Group Presentation  10%
Assignment 2 (Portfolio)  30%

Students must complete all components of the assignment tasks to be eligible for achieving an overall pass on this course. For completion to the satisfaction of the examiners, students must achieve at least 50% for the course. 

Attendance
Students in Auckland will be required to attend all lectures and tutorials. Students who are unable to be in Auckland because of the COVID19 travel restrictions will have an online tutorial with the Lecturer during the tutorial weeks. Please let Lizzy know l.roe@auckland.ac.nz if you are going to be a remote learning student (i.e. not on campus in Auckland).

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.