Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EFPM266: Principles of Language Learning for TESOL

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is:

• to critically review foundational concepts in second language learning theories;

• to provide an overview of the current debate on key issues in second language learning research;

• to enable participants to engage in critical analysis and discussion of an area of study in second language learning;

• to enable participants to consider critically the application of current research in language learning to language teaching practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate a critical understanding of linguistic and cognitive perspectives of second language acquisition, including language transfer and processing; input, interaction & output; and individual differences; 2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of social and cultural perspectives of second language learning, including mediated learning and scaffolding; community of practice and L2 socialisation; culture and identity; 3. Demonstrate the ability to apply the critical understandings of above different theoretical perspectives to the development of TESOL pedagogic practices.
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. demonstrate an ability to apply course input to their own and their peers' teaching and learning situations; 5. demonstrate an awareness of how their own students might approach learning; 6. demonstrate an ability to evaluate the success or otherwise of different teaching strategies in particular situations;
Personal and Key Skills	7. Demonstrate an ability to study effectively independently and in groups, including the presentation of materials for group and class discussion; 8. demonstrate an ability to digest, select and organize material to produce, to a deadline, a coherent and thoughtful analysis of theory applied to professional and cultural situations; 9. demonstrate an ability to take responsibility and carry out agreed tasks; 10. demonstrate an ability to study independently in group/pair work; 11. demonstrate an ability to create a presentation of materials for group and class discussion.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Week 1 - An overview of key debates and issues in second language learning theory

Week 2 - A short history of second language learning theory mentalist versus behavioural perspectives

Week 3 - Interaction and language processing (the Interactionist perspective)

Week 4 - Sociocultural theory and mediated learning (socio-cognitive perspective)

Week 5 - Language learning strategies and learning styles

Week 6 - Language learning motivation and anxiety

Week 7 - Identity and second language learning

Week 8 - Language learning as participation and socialization

Week 9 - Multilingualism and language learning

Week 10 - Conclusion: recap, Q+A, assignment briefing, discussion of essay topics

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
50	250	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Learning and teaching activities	30	lectures, seminars and tutorials
Learning and teaching activities	20	pre-session tasks
guided independent study	80	assignment preparation
guided independent study	170	directed/self-directed reading

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Web CT resource platform including powerpoints, research papers and interactive tasks.

Other Learning Resources

Journals:

English Language Teaching (ELT) Journal

Int. Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism*

Language and Education

Language and Intercultural Communication

Language Learning

Language, Identity, and Education

Modern English Teacher (MET)

Modern Language Journal

TESOL Quarterly

* available from Gaby’s office (contact Gaby)