CODE | EPE5002 | ||||||||
TITLE | Teaching and Learning English | ||||||||
UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
DEPARTMENT | Early Childhood and Primary Education | ||||||||
DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will introduce student teachers to the methodologies and pedagogies of teaching English as a second langauge to primary school pupils (Year 1 to Yr 6). Through a series of lectures, readings and discussions the students teachers will engage critically with what it means to teach a second, or foreign, language to young learners. Language used in class is influenced by the teachers' identity formed through various factors at teacher level such as lived experiences, levels of bilingualism, comfort with use of English, beliefs about language learning and teaching and attitudes towards the language itself. Thus, reflection and critical analysis of their own language awareness will then lead to the study of the wider context of language use in families, educational settings and the community. Texts and activities suitable for early and young langauge learners will be researched, discussed and critiqued. Approaches to the teaching of reading, writing, listening and speaking will be inroduced and analysed. Moreover, student teachers will be linking theory with practice through the school visits (which they will have the opportunity to undertake through their days in schools). The student teachers will learn how to plan and evaluate Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans that are suitable to meet the individual needs of pupils. Study-Unit Aims: The aims of this study-unit are to: - Discuss and analyse principles related to the teaching of English as a second/foreign language in the primary school (Year 1 to Year 6); - Create more awareness amongst student teachers of their own language identity and how this may impact upon the teaching and learning process; and - Investigate and evaluate activities, strategies and learning opportunities that may help children develop their English language abilities (the four lanague skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking) whilst fostering positive attitudes towards English. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Critique principles of second language learning and analyse their application in relation to local educational settings and documentation; - Describe and anlayse the impact of a range of social, personal and contextual factors which impinge on language and literacy teaching and learning; and - Demonstrate they are capable of translating theory into practice by justifying activities and identifying opportunities to develop the children's English language and literacy development and learning at primary level. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Engage critically with a theories related to principles of English language teaching at primary school level (Year 1 to Year 6). - Identify and express his/her own biases and attitudes towards the use, and teaching, of the L1 and L2; and - Propose, plan and/or create a range of educational materials and resources to offer pupils positive learning opportunities to develop their English language skills in primary school settings. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Brien, J. (2012) Teaching Primary English. London: Sage. Supplementary Readings: - Bald, J. (2007) Using Phonics to teach Reading and Spelling. London: Paul Chapman. - Bruce, T. & Spratt, J. (2011) Essentials of Literacy from 0-7 (2nd Edition). London: Sage Publications. - Garcia, E.E. & Frede, E.C. (2010) (Eds) Young English Language Learners: Current research and Emerging Directions for Practice and Policy. New York: Teachers College Press. - Horner, C. & Ryf, V. (2008) Creative Teaching English in the Early Years and Primary Classroom. Oxon: Routledge. - Larson, J. & Marsh, J. (2005) Making Literacy Real: Theories and Practices for learning and teaching. London: Sage. - Medwell, J., Wray, D., Minns, H., Coates, E. & Giffiths, V. (2014) Primary English: Teaching Theory and Practice. London: Learning Matters. - Rixon, S. (Ed) (1999) Young Learners of English: Some Research Perspectives. Essex, UK: Pearson Education Ltd. |
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STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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LECTURER/S | Josephine Milton |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |