Course Development in English Language Teaching
Résumé de section
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1 Key Concepts:
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Course Design: The process of creating a structured plan for teaching a language, including goals, content, teaching methods, and assessment.
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Curriculum: A broader term encompassing the overall educational framework, including policies, goals, content, and evaluation methods.
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Syllabus: A detailed outline of topics, materials, and assessment tools for a particular course, forming part of the larger curriculum.
2 Components of Course Design:
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Learners: Understanding learners' needs, proficiency levels, and learning preferences.
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Instructional Procedures: Teaching methods and classroom activities.
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Materials: Selection and adaptation of teaching resources.
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Assessment: Methods to evaluate learners' progress and achievement.
3 The Course Design Process:
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Needs Analysis: Identifying learners' needs and expectations.
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Setting Goals and Objectives: Establishing clear learning outcomes.
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Content Selection and Organization: Structuring lessons and materials.
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Implementation: Delivering the course.
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Evaluation and Revision: Assessing effectiveness and making improvements.
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This video by Sami Berbache introduces basic concepts such as course, syllabus, and curriculum and simplifies their definitions for students. The video presents a contextualization of the notion of course design in the field of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
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Task: Reflect on a language course you have taken or taught. Identify the following:
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The course objectives.
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The syllabus type (e.g., skill-based, task-based, content-based).
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The teaching methods used.
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One area for improvement in the course design.
Submit your reflections in 200-300 words.
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Follow link 'click here'. The following list hypothesizes the types of information required for a needs analysis of this group of students. The Pre-Class needs analysis instrument and the Initial Class needs analysis instrument seek to acquire this information.
Types of information required
1. Survey of students’ expectations
2. Survey of students’ motivation
3. Survey of students’ affective factors
4. Survey of students’ attitudes
5. Observation of gap between students needs and abilities
6. Survey of specific problems students have
7. Language proficiency and language difficulties
8. Subjective needs including learning strategy preferences, affective needs, learning activity preferences, pace of learning, attitude toward correction
(adapted from Nunan, 1989)
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This video by Professor MacKenzie elaborates on several interesting points related to needs analysis such as conducting needs analysis in real life and the reason behind going through such a process. The video introduces, at the end, practical examples of questions and answers you may encounter while conducting needs analysis
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Example
Task: Create a syllabus outline for a four-week English course focused on improving speaking skills. Include:
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Course title and objectives.
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Syllabus type.
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Weekly topics and activities.
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Assessment methods.
Submit your syllabus outline along with a brief justification for your content choices to your teacher via email or through the forum section.
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Here is a short presentation on the difference between Authentic Vs Non-Authentic Materials in ELT course Design.
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🌟 1. Lecture-Based Method
Definition:
- A teacher-centered approach where the instructor delivers content directly to the students, often through explanations, presentations, or storytelling.
- Students take notes, listen, and absorb knowledge passively, with limited interaction during the session.
Example in TEFL:
In an English grammar class, the teacher explains conditional sentences (e.g., "If I had studied, I would have passed"), provides examples, and writes rules on the board. Students listen, take notes, and later complete exercises to practice the forms.Advantages:
- Efficient for delivering large amounts of information in a short time.
- Provides a clear structure and expert knowledge.
Challenges:
- Passive learning; students have fewer opportunities to practice language skills.
- Limited engagement, especially in language learning, where communication is crucial.
🗣️ 2. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
Definition:
- A learner-centered method that emphasizes real-life communication and the practical use of language.
- Focuses on fluency over accuracy, encouraging learners to use language in authentic contexts.
Example in TEFL:
In a lesson on ordering food at a restaurant, students role-play as customers and waiters. They practice phrases like:- "Can I have the menu, please?"
- "I'd like a cheeseburger with fries."
The teacher monitors and provides feedback after the activity.
Advantages:
- Improves communication skills and confidence.
- Provides meaningful practice in authentic situations.
Challenges:
- Accuracy might be overlooked.
- Requires skilled teachers who can manage open-ended activities and give constructive feedback.
✅ 3. Task-Based Learning (TBL)
Definition:
- A student-centered method where learners complete meaningful tasks using the target language.
- The focus is on achieving an outcome rather than on language forms.
Example in TEFL:
Students are asked to plan a trip to London in groups. They research:- Places to visit.
- Budget for accommodation and food.
- Transportation options.
They then present their plans to the class. Throughout the task, they practice problem-solving, collaboration, and language skills like negotiation and explanation.
Advantages:
- Engages learners with real-world tasks.
- Develops problem-solving and collaboration skills.
Challenges:
- Can be difficult to assess language proficiency separately from task completion.
- Requires careful planning to ensure tasks align with learning objectives.
📌 4. Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Definition:
- Involves students in long-term projects that require research, collaboration, and creativity.
- The project acts as a vehicle for language learning, integrating multiple skills.
Example in TEFL:
In a unit on Environmental Issues, students create a campaign to raise awareness about plastic pollution. The project includes:- Researching the impact of plastic on marine life.
- Designing posters and social media content.
- Presenting findings and solutions in a class presentation.
Advantages:
- Encourages creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
- Gives learners ownership of their learning.
Challenges:
- Time-consuming.
- Requires strong guidance from the teacher to keep students on track.
🔄 5. Flipped Classroom
Definition:
- Reverses the traditional classroom model: students learn new content at home through videos, readings, or podcasts, and then use class time for practice and discussion.
- Promotes active learning during class.
Example in TEFL:
Before a lesson on phrasal verbs, students watch a YouTube video explaining common phrasal verbs like:- "Give up" (to quit).
- "Run into" (to meet by chance).
In class, students play a game where they act out phrasal verbs for their classmates to guess, followed by discussions on how to use them in context.
Advantages:
- Maximizes in-class time for practice and feedback.
- Supports self-paced learning.
Challenges:
- Requires reliable access to technology.
- Students may not complete the pre-class work, limiting in-class effectiveness.
Other methods (TeacherTalkingTogether on Facebook)
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This video focuses on the characteristics of assessment and evaluation in education. It provides resources for teachers to teach and students to learn and acquires new skills. Assessment and evaluation in education encourage teachers and students to ask questions and investigate topics for themselves. Students learn best when they are assessed adequately. In this video, you'll see how assessment and evaluation in education can motivate students to learn important skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Teachers who are interested in using assessment and evaluation in their classroom should read more about it and start slowly by incorporating a few assessment activities into their lessons. We target the following: • Define assessment and evaluation in education • Describe the characteristics of assessment and evaluation in education • Identify the benefits of Assessment and Evaluation in Education
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This is a student's tentative course design for an aviation engineering professional. This documents consists of a very interesting needs analysis process and a tentative lesson plan of one of the competencies required in the professional's workplace.
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