An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
CYRIL POTTER COLLEGE OF EDUCATION SPANISH An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Certificate Secondary Programme / ADE
Duration: 2 Semesters / Terms
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is part of the requirements for the preparation of competent teachers of Spanish at the Early Childhood and Primary levels. It provides for
Their acquisition of relevant theoretical and pedagogical knowledge and
The development of the competencies necessary for the successful delivery of a programme oriented toward communicative proficiency
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An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
SEMESTER I ISSUES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION (FLE) Objectives
To facilitate teachers’ being able to place FLE in its correct perspective
To sensitize teachers to the important role that FLE plays in bridging communication and cultural gaps in a globalized world
To understand the critical role of communicative proficiency in successful participation in a highly competitive global environment
To increase teachers’ awareness of the dominance of Spanish in our Hemisphere and of the wide extent to which it is spoken throughout the world
Week 1
Foreign Language Education o Rationale o Goals o The intervention of CARICOM
Intrinsic and utilitarian value of FLE
Foreign Language Education in post-colonial Caribbean (ADE)
Discussion: Aspects of Communicative Proficiency. Statement ‘Creating an Environment for Communication’, Douglas H Browne 2
An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING Objectives
To recognize the contribution of educational psychology to foreign language teaching
To develop teachers’ understanding of some of the theories from which principles of teaching and learning are drawn
To develop teachers’ understanding of some learning theories and their application to second language teaching
To equip teachers with the ability to reflect upon their views of learning and their approach to teaching in an informed and analytic manner
To ensure that learning makes provision for the various areas in which learners differ and for the complex nature of the learning process
Week 3
The components of Communicative Proficiency
Perspectives from Educational Psychology. Implications for the foreign language classroom o Views of teaching o Theories of language o Deep and Surface learning o Empiricists: Behaviourism – Skinner
Week 4 o Rationalists : Cognitive Psychology – Piaget, Bloom, Bruner, Ausubel
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An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
Week 5 o Humanists: Erikson, Maslow o Social Interactionists: Vygotsky Week 6 o Constructivism Week 7 o Individual learner factors – developmental stage, motivation, attitude, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory PEDAGOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN FLE Objectives
To expose teachers to o The theoretical language learning principles underpinning each selected method o Its major characteristics o Its proficiency orientation o The extent of its contribution to the achievement of proficiency goals
To equip teachers to reflect upon their views of learning and their approach to teaching in an informed and analytical manner
To develop teachers’ ability to apply an eclectic approach in their instructional practice
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An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
Week 8
Theoretical basis, major characteristics and proficiency orientation of selected language teaching methods o Traditional methods / The Structural Approach: Grammar-Translation Method, Audio-lingual Method
Week 9 o Mentalist Perspectives: Cognitive Code Method Week 10 o Comprehension Approach: Total Physical Response. The Natural Approach Weeks 11 - 12 o The Functional Approach: Communicative Language Teaching Approach Weeks 13 - 14 o The Influence and Relevance of the CXC Syllabus on FLE
SEMESTER 2 DEVELOPING FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING SKILLS 5
An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
Objectives
To provide opportunities for teachers to apply their knowledge of current pedagogical trends in FLE to planning for and implementing classroom practice
To develop teachers’ understanding of the interdependency of context, functions, situations as they form the organizing framework for the application of a communicative approach
To identify strategies and activities for the effective teaching of the four language skills, vocabulary and grammar
To provide opportunities for teachers to access, evaluate, adapt and develop curricular material to support communicative ends
To develop teachers’ ability to make effective use of web 2.0 tools in their instructional practice
To develop teachers’ ability to devise and administer meaningful assessment activities
To develop teachers’ skills in unit and lesson planning
To identify strategies for enhancing students’ understanding and appreciation of the target culture
Week 1
Topics, Notions, Functions
Practice in language learning
Week 2
o Function and characteristics of effective practice activities
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An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
o Identification and analysis of effective practice activities o Sequencing practice activities – the principle of decreasing control
Week 3 o Modification of traditional practice activities
Questioning
Weeks 4 - 6
A contextualized approach to the teaching of vocabulary, grammar and the four language skills
Week 7
Feedback and assessment in foreign language teaching
Enhancing cultural awareness
Week 8
Weeks 9 - 10
Curriculum resources in foreign language teaching. Identification and modification
Integrating ICT (using web 2.0 tools) in the foreign language classroom – identifying / adapting interactive practice activities, creating crosswords, word searches, flashcards, posters, on-line quizzes, adapting advertisements,
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An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
brochures, articles for comprehension purposes, downloading videos and copying to CDs / DVDs
Weeks 11 - 15
Generating lesson units and plans from Curriculum Guides
Micro teaching
Teaching / Learning Modes
Lectures, Power Point presentations and discussions, group activities, viewing / analyzing teaching videos (on-line), micro teaching, guided on-line research, using the class web site for access to lesson material, for review and reinforcement of content
Continuous Assessment
Assignments submitted as email attachments, critical analysis of articles, posting to discussion forums, on-line quiz, micro teaching
Creating resources using web 2.0 applications – on-line quizzes (also printed versions), crosswords, word searches, posters, flashcards
Identifying on-line interactive activities
Micro teaching
Reflections on the Course – on-line submission using a webbased application ( zoho.com, simplebooklet.com)
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An Introduction to Issues, Approaches and Methods in the Teaching / Learning of Foreign Languages Secondary / ADE
Continuous Assessment (ADE)
Assignments submitted as email attachments, critical analysis of articles, posting to discussion forums, blogging, on-line quizzes, micro teaching
Maintain personal on-line blogs with weekly reflections on the course. Final reflection will be an embedded video
Micro teaching
Web Quests
Voice Thread
Creating resources using web 2.0 applications – on-line quizzes (also printed versions), crosswords, word searches, posters, flashcards
Preparing a Web Quest on an issue related to the target culture
Identifying on-line interactive activities. Making modifications
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