LS3LST-Teaching the Language Skills

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: LS1SG Sounds, Grammar and Meaning and LS1ELS English Language and Society
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mrs Suzanne Portch
Email: s.m.portch@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

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. 

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. Through using a highly-interactive skills-based approach, students will experience in practice the academic and pedagogic ideas during the modules.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, it is expected that students will be able to:
£ Describe key theories and processes involved in the development of the four language skills in a second language at level 6;
£ Apply their understand of these ideas in explaining techniques and methods for the teaching of the four language skills at level 6;
£ Evaluate teaching materials for the teaching of select language skills at level 6, and in particular identify how they reflect particularmethods for teaching, or theories of learning the four skills;
£ Develop critical analytical and synthesising skills at level 6 through evaluating sample teaching 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, writing; evaluation of current teaching materials for select language skills in a second language.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Interactive lectures and seminar-style class discussion, including group and pair work. There will be readings and tasks to complete between classes. A high degree of student autonomy and student-led collaborative learning is encouraged.

Students may also undertake an academic placement, through which they will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills gained in studying for this module in a professional context.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		10
Guided independent study:		180
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework One essay of 1,500-2,000 words - 40% One essay of 2,000-2,500 words - 60% Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

One piece of assessment worth no more than 50% of the module mark can be replaced by a report produced after an academic placement. The placement must be agreed in advance by the module convenor; the length of the report is to be equivalent to standard departmental practice for coursework.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that 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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework by 12 noon on the third Friday in August in the year the course is taken.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022