Transcript

Learning outcomes

• Reflect on the nature of language acquisition, and your personal place in that spectrum
• Identify ideas around the notion of ‘meaning’ in second language acquisition, and how we convey/appreciate meaning
• Explore aspects of what is hard and what is easy in second language acquisition
• Discuss the nature and diversity of language learning classrooms and how this might impact on the teaching and learning of languages
• Develop an awareness of some current approaches to language teaching in the classroom
• Engage with other learners' experiences of language teaching and learning
• Evaluate how online learning and teaching differs from face-to-face teaching
• Develop an understanding of how technology can support the learning and teaching of languages
• Identify some key skills in the moderation of online language courses
• Assess the use of social media in language learning and teaching
• Reflect upon the use of English as a global lingua franca and how it fits with their own language context
• Develop an understanding of the social and political factors involved in the historical and current spread of English
• Debate the implications of the impact of global English for language policy and teaching

Syllabus

• The nature of language and language learning including discussion of what is hard and easy in second language acquisition
• Language teaching in the classroom including consideration of classrooms as communities of practice and theories about effective classroom pedagogy
• Consideration of two case studies in current teaching practice: task-based language teaching (TBLT) and content and language integrated learning (CLIL)
• Technology in language learning and teaching and the changing role of teacher and learner
• Online versus face-to-face language learning
• The use of English as a global language or lingua franca
• The historical spread of English and implications for language policy and teaching
• Definitions of English as a lingua franca (ELF), the scale of ELF use and its pros and cons
• Exploration of the work of Global Englishes researchers and invitation to join in with a research project.