EDUC 5421 - TESOL Methodology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course focuses on practical methods of language teaching specifically the four macro skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening and the rationale behind lesson staging/scaffolding when presenting these skills. Students will be introduced to techniques for teaching vocabulary, pronunciation and form as well as learn how to design effective tasks and practice situations. It looks at strategies to check meaning and correct errors. Students are encouraged to adopt a critical and reflective approach to practice through peer teaching and develop an informed view of teaching and the learners.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code EDUC 5421
    Course TESOL Methodology
    Coordinating Unit School of Education
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 hours
    Assessment Checking Meaning Assignment 1,500 words (20%); Literature based rationale 1,500 words (20%); Lesson Plans 2,000 words (30%); Peer Teaching Assessment (20%); Participation (10%)
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Sandra Caon-Parsons

    Ms Sandra Caon-Parsons
    Phone: 08 83134790
    Email: sandra.caonparsons@adelaide.edu.au

    Workshop Lecturer: Ms Paula Dimmell
    Email: paula.dimmell@adelaide.edu.au  
    Campus: 115 Grenfell St

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Workshops: 3 hours per week 
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1  Develop an understanding of historical and current TESOL Methodologies
    2  Familiarise students with classroom management techniques
    3  Increase students’ awareness of different types of learners
    4  Enable students to select appropriate materials and activities based on lesson aims and learner needs
    5  Familiarise students’ with planning different lesson types and corresponding staging
    6  Introduce different types of formal and informal assessment in TESOL
    7  Access resources effectively necessary to complete set tasks
    8  Demonstrate self-evaluation skills through critical reflective practice
    9  Interact and network effectively with peers
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,4,5,6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3,4,6,7
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1,2,4,5,8,9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1,2,4,5,8,9
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 4,5,6,7
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7,8,9
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1,3,8,9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1,3,4,6,8,9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no textbook for this course. Rather students will be required to read selected literature on key research design processes covered in the course and disciplinary texts as appropriate. 
    Recommended Resources
    Ur, P. (2012) A Course in English language teaching, Cambridge University press. UK
    Scrivener, J. (2011) Learning Teaching, 3rd edition. Macmillan, UK
    Online Learning
    Additional course-related material is available through MyUni. 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course is built around a series of seminars introducing how the English Language works and how this understanding can assist in learning and teaching a second language. The seminars aim to give a balance between ‘input’ and ‘practice’ with an expectation that students will actively engage with the material through small group activities and discussion. Related assignments are designed to consolidate the learning of key principles and development of skills by addressing the practical application of these concepts.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 3 hour seminar per week (x12) 36 hours
    Reading per week (x12) 40 hours
    Peer Teaching & preparation 5 hours
    Preparation for Assignment 1 20 hours
    Preparation for Assignment 2 20 hours
    Preparation for Assignment 3 35 hours
    Total = 156
    Learning Activities Summary
    Seminars
    Week 1 English Teaching Today
    Week 2 Classroom management
    Week 3 Introduction to TESOL Lesson Planning
    Week 4 Teaching Vocabulary
    Week 5 Presenting new language
    Week 6 Checking meaning of new language
    Week 7 Teaching Receptive Skills
    Week 8 Teaching Speaking
    Week 9 Teaching Writing
    Week 10 Tools, Techniques and Activities
    Week 11 Assessment and Testing
    Week 12 Techer Development
    Specific Course Requirements
    Note that attendance at seminars is compulsory
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    This course follows criterion-based assessment. This means that student grades are determined by the standard of work in terms of meeting a number of criteria that represent the requirements for a particular course. In other words, work is judged according to a pre-determined standard of task completion rather than by comparing it to the work of other students undertaking the same course.
    • Assignment 1: 25% 1,500words
    • Assignment 2: 25% 1,500 words
    • Assignment 3: 40% 2,000 words (essay)
    • Peer teaching: 10%
    Assessment Task Word Count Due Date Weight Learning Objectives
    Assignment 1

    1,500 words

    Week 4 25%
    Assignment 2 1,500 words Week 8 25%
    Assignment 3 2,000 words Week 12 40%
    Peer Teaching N/A In class
    week 5&6
    10 %
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students who are unable to provide justification for non-attendance will fail the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Assignment 1: 25%
    Focus on the Learner Part 1
    Due Date: Week 4
    Word Count: 1,500 total words

    Assignment 2: 25%
    Checking Meaning
    Due Date: Week 8
    Word Count: 1,500

    Assignment 3: 40%
    Focus on the Learner Part 2
    Due Date: Week 12
    Word Count: 2,000

    Peer Teaching 10%
    Weeks 5 & 6
    Submission
    All assignments must be submitted electronically either as discussion posts or as email attachments to the lecturer by 12:00 midnight of the due date, late penalties will apply.
    Please use the assignment cover sheet which can be accessed from http://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/hub/downloads/Professions-assignment-cover-sheet.pdf
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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