Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EFPM280: Developing Practical Knowledge for TESOL Teaching

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

The syllabus plan is subject to change, but is anticipated to include the following:

Introduction to the module: What does language teaching involve? Total immersion/ESL versus drip feed EFL contexts. Learning theories.

Communicative Competence & implications for teachers’ and learners’ roles.

Review of language teaching methods; terminology for TESOL; preparation for observations of language classes.

The role of error in language learning.

Techniques for introducing and practicing new language (1) & (2)

Micro teaching practice (1), focusing on the practical application of content covered in the module.

Teaching reflection; classroom management; giving instructions; questioning techniques; dealing with large classes and mixed ability.

Individual presentations on students’ observations of language classes; identifying key topics.

Task based Learning

Micro teaching practice (2)

Round up & summary of course; individual presentations to report on topics chosen for module assignment.

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
150	150	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, tutorials and workshops
Learning and teaching activities	30	Directed reading
Guided independent study	80	Assignment preparation
Guided independent study	150	Independent study
Learning and teaching activities	10	Language classroom observation

Online Resources

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

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Microteaching	30 minutes for each group of 4-5 students	1-7	Verbal comment and review from tutors and fellow students

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
A Portfolio which includes details of the microteaching experiences and the observed classes. Students also reflect on themes that have emerged from these experiences and critically comment on them in relation to the module contents and their own contexts.	100	7,000 words	1-11	Written summative feedback
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Portfolio	Portfolio resubmission	1-11	6 weeks