Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Didactics for Spoken and Written Language English

Didactics for Spoken and Written Language English
4
14830
1
First semester
op
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Teaching staff


Dra. Christina Howes 

chowes@uic.es

 

Individual tutorials can be requested by email and will be conducted via the Google Meet platform.

 

Introduction

This course is designed for pre-service secondary school English teachers. Its main aim is to provide a solid foundation in key approaches and methodologies in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, fostering critical engagement with current research. The course emphasizes the design, implementation, and evaluation of competency-based teaching sequences aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and current curricula. It promotes informed pedagogical decision-making, the effective use of teaching materials and technologies, and the development of inclusive and equitable strategies for teaching oral and written skills.

Pre-course requirements

A minimum B2 level (CEFR) in English is required. Students must demonstrate sufficient communicative competence to act as linguistic models, including command of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and receptive and productive skills, as well as the ability to understand and produce academic and professional texts.

Objectives

  • Critically understand major language teaching methodologies.

  • Design context-sensitive, research-informed teaching materials and activities.

  • Develop evidence-based teaching strategies.

  • Plan curriculum-aligned teaching units following CEFR principles.

  • Apply coherent and formative assessment criteria.

  • Analyze relevant oral and written genres.

  • Understand and apply CEFR principles.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

Core competences

CB6 Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.


CB7 That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and the ability to solve problems in new or little-known environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.

CB8 That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.

CB9 That students know how to communicate their conclusions – and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them – to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.

CB10 That students apply the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a largely self-directed or autonomous way.

General Competences

CG1 Formulate reflective and critical, responsible, ethical and respectful judgments about the various protagonists of the educational process (family, school and society)

CG3 Integrate and collaborate actively in the achievement of common objectives with other people, areas and organizations

CG4 Present ideas orally and in writing, adapting to different communicative styles and types of activities.

CG5 Organize and plan different types of activities, events and situations.

CG6 Integrate and use Information and Communication Technologies in various fields effectively and responsibly.

Transversal Competences

CT1 Critically analyze personal work and use appropriate resources and strategies for professional improvement.

CT2 Work as a team and develop attitudes of participation and collaboration as an active member of society

CT3 Show ethical and responsible behaviors as a citizen and as a professional.

CT4 Develop the capacity to evaluate inequalities based on sex and gender, to design mechanisms for the achievement of real equality, avoiding partial and discriminatory interpretations.

CT5 Identify strategies to promote gender equality, equity and respect for human rights.

CT6 Promote inclusive situations and environments for Sustainable Development, creating effective, responsible and inclusive contexts at all levels

Specific competences

Common/Generic Module.1. Learning and personality development

CE5 Analyze the historical characteristics of the teaching profession, its current situation, perspectives and interrelation with the social reality of each era.

CE10 Determine the formative and cultural value of language and literature, its history and development in order to transmit a deep vision of them.

CE11 Identify issues related to linguistic contact and second language acquisition processes.

Specific module. 2. Teaching and learning the corresponding subject

CE12 Identify the curricular contents of the subjects related to the corresponding teaching specialization, as well as the body of didactic knowledge around the respective teaching and learning processes.

CE13 Specify the curriculum to be implemented in a teaching center participating in the collective planning of the same; develop and apply both group and personalized didactic methodologies, adapted to the diversity of students.

 


Learning outcomes of the subject

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Organize, sequence, and justify curriculum content.

  2. Design, develop, and evaluate teaching-learning processes coherent with the educational context.

  3. Apply teaching proposals adapted to learner diversity and specific educational needs.

  4. Integrate teaching strategies, materials, and educational technologies in a critical and appropriate way.

  5. Apply and evaluate teaching and assessment strategies as tools for learning regulation.

  6. Analyze and evaluate methodologies, programs, and models for the teaching of oral and written language.

  7. Plan in-person or synchronous activities aimed at developing the specific competences of the course.

  8. Design innovative teaching proposals in the areas of speaking and writing.

  9. Use non-sexist resources and alternatives, and organize inclusive and respectful learning spaces.

  10. Promote equality of rights and opportunities among students.

Syllabus

  1. Didactics and curriculum
    Instructional design, planning, and lesson programming. Communicative and competency-based approaches.

  2. Assessment
    Assessment systems, criteria, and instruments.

  3. Communicative competence
    Development of language skills.

  4. Teaching oral and written language
    Speaking, writing, listening, and reading comprehension.

  5. Oral and written genres
    Differences and similarities between spoken and written genres.

  6. Teaching units
    Design and development of teaching units in the language classroom. Content selection and sequencing. Methodological guidelines.

  7. Language as a vehicle for learning
    Using language as a tool for learning subject content.

  8. Integrated language teaching
    Principles and application in secondary education contexts.

  9. Language teaching methodologies
    Overview of major approaches and methodologies.

  10. Second language acquisition
    Factors affecting language acquisition and learning.

  11. Beliefs about language learning
    Critical analysis of beliefs and pedagogical myths.

  12. Cultural dimensions and diversity
    English as a lingua franca, interculturality, and linguistic diversity.

  13. Selection of teaching materials
    Criteria for choosing, adapting, and using materials.

  14. Speaking skills
    Communicative and intercultural competence, oral discourse pedagogy, learning strategies, pronunciation, prosody, and intonation.

  15. Writing skills
    Text types, textual properties, writing processes, the role of grammar, and spelling instruction.

  16. Accuracy, fluency, and complexity
    Analysis and application to oral and written skills.

  17. Error correction
    Why, when, and how to correct errors.

  18. Testing and assessment
    Application of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

 

Teaching and learning activities

Online




The course is delivered in a fully online and synchronous format. The methodology combines lecturing, guided analysis of readings and materials, problem-solving, academic discussion, and applied work. It encourages active and reflective student participation, with particular attention to transferring course content to the real secondary-school classroom context.

The following methodological strategies will be used:

Teaching and learning activities

CT- Online Master classes
ABP- Project-based learning
CP- Practical classes
REC- Resolution of exercises and questions


Training activities


ETI- Study and individual work
CML - Online Master Classes
FDV - Forums and virtual debates
CPL- Online Practical Class
TL- Online tutorials (individual or group)
TG- Group work

PA-Open Question Examination

Evaluation systems and criteria

Online



 

Assessment taskWeightMain learning outcomesMain competences linked
Recorded microteaching session 25% 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 CB6, CB7, CB9, CG4, CG5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CE12, CE13
Forum contributions on methodologies and SLA 20% 1, 2, 6, 10 CB6, CB8, CB9, CG1, CG3, CG4, CT1, CT2, CT3, CE10, CE11
Teaching intervention project: unit planning 45% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10, CG1, CG3, CG4, CG5, CG6, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6, CE10, CE11, CE12, CE13
Simple online quiz 10% 1, 2, 6, 7 CB6, CB7, CB10, CE10, CE11, CE12
General assessment criteria
  • Ability to select, analyze, and integrate relevant and up-to-date information.

  • Pedagogical coherence between aims, content, activities, and assessment.

  • Critical thinking and well-supported argumentation.

  • Appropriateness of proposals to the secondary-school context.

  • Accuracy and adequacy in oral and written English.

 

IMPORTANT:

The subject will be taught online. Since the classes are synchronous, failure to attend class may affect your final mark for the subject. Classes will not be recorded.

Bibliography and resources

 

Bailey, K. M. (2007). Practical English language teaching: Speaking. Higher Education Press. 

Brown, Douglas, H. (6th. Ed. 2014). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. Pearson Education (US). 

Ellis, Rod. (2004). Task-based language learning and teaching. OUP.  

Harmer, Jeremy (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching (4th edition). Longman.

Howat, A. (2nd. Ed. 2004). A History of English Language Teaching (Oxford Applied Linguistics). OUP. 

Klippel, F. (2013). Keep talking: Communicative fluency activities for language teaching (Cambridge handbooks for language teachers). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Lightbown, P., & Espada, N. (2006). How languages are learned. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Nussbaum, L. (2001). El discurso en el aula de lengua extranjera. In Nussbaum, L. & Bernaus  M. (Eds.) Didáctica de las lenguas extranjeras en la educación secundaria obligatoria. Madrid: Síntesis, pp. 137-172.

Nussbaum, L. (2003). De cómo aprender lenguas y contenidos curriculares actuando. Aula de Innovación Educativa, 129, pp. 20-23.

Nussbaum, L., & Bernaus, M. (2001). Didáctica de la lengua extranjera en la ESO. Madrid: Síntesis