Learning and Teaching Modern Languages (LAS3132)

Overview

• University credits: 20
• FHEQ level: 6
• Availability: Students, members of staff, members of the public
• Frequency of class: 23 seminars and six lectures across the academic year
• Group size: TBC
• Module Leader: Ludek Knittl

Description

How do we acquire a foreign language? How does language teaching help us on the way? Through lectures, readings, discussions and class observations, this module introduces you to issues surrounding language learning and teaching, including: how do native and foreign language acquisition compare and how do the languages influence each other; what methods do we use to teach different language skills; the role that motivation, feedback and technologies play in learning and in teaching methodology. If you have extensive experience of foreign language learning and are interested in teaching languages after your studies, this module is for you.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate their awareness of the main theoretical approaches to language acquisition and learning, and how they relate to and apply in the context of teaching languages.
• Assess learners' progress and analyse the reasons behind incomplete mastery of target-language material in the language classroom.
• Reflect critically on the methodology used in the language classroom and understand why a particular methodology is or is not used.
• Show insight into the roles of the teacher and the learner in the language classroom.
• Reflect critically on their experiences and motivations as a language learner and be able to assess their own needs, in order to become a lifelong autonomous learner.
• Apply the knowledge gained in the module and through their own experience to prepare and teach a short lesson.

Assessment

• Essay: 50%
• Portfolio: 35%
• Lesson plan and teaching: 15%