Learning, Teaching and Researching
Code
722171241
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas, Secção de Estudos Ingleses e Norte-Americanos
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
Allyson Jane Roberts, Maria Ellison (FL-UPorto)
Weekly hours
3 letivas + 1 tutorial
Teaching language
English
Objectives
The student will:
- be able to identify factors differentiating second language learners
- be able to identify factors which contribute to effective language learning
- demonstrate an ability to evaluate needs, styles and preferences of language learners
- be able to identify and understand the importance of factors such as first language influence and the age of onset of learning on second language development.
- be able to make informed decisions based on current theories of language learning about second language teaching methodologies and practice
- demonstrate an ability to reflect on their beliefs, attitudes and experiences of language teaching through a process of reflective writing -) be able to design appropriate data collection tools for evaluating learners´ second language learning
- be able to design and implement a piece of appropriate small-scale qualitative research .
Prerequisites
Subject matter
Seminar 1 explores the roles of the learner, the teacher and the researcher in English Language Teaching and Learning. It addresses the needs and attributes of learners, factors that differentiate language learners, and looks at skills and tools to evaluate the needs of a language learner. The Seminar also explores core areas of research in Second Language Acquisition. It focuses on features of language learner development and ultimate attainment by investigating the influence of language input and the role of formal instruction. The role of the teacher is addressed through a process of reflective enquiry involving reflection on English language teaching experience , practice and beliefs. Reflective writing is used as a technique to develop this awareness. Basic research skills are developed to include questionnaire design, interviewing strategies, and data analysis to build the skills necessary for small scale class-room or online
research.
Bibliography
Arnold, J. (1999). Affect in Language Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Burns, A. (2009). Doing Action Research in English Language Teaching (ESL and Applied Linguistics Professional Series. New York: Routeldge.
Ellis, R. (1997). SLA Research and Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lightbown, P.M. and Spada, N. (2006) How Languages are Learned. Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mitchell, R., and Myles, F. (2004). Second Language Learning Theories. London: Hodder Arnold.
Richards, Jack. C., and Farrell, Thomas, S. C. (2005). Professional Development for Language Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Saville-Troike, M. (2006). Introducing Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wallace, M. J. (1997). Action Research for Language Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Teaching method
The teaching-learning process to be developed in S1 takes place in a virtual environment (e-learning,with recourse to the Moodle platform) covering three separate teaching modules: 1) The L2 learner and the learning process 2) Second Language Acquisition 3) Research approaches and the reflective teacher.
The learning methods used combine individual study with collaborative work. Students are required to carry out individual reading and research work and to develop a critical reflection on the course materials. Collaborative work is to be conducted in discussion forums, in which students are expected to participate
by presenting the conclusions of their reflection on the course material, debating specific questions or topics, and presenting and discussing their own course work and that developed by their classmates.
Evaluation method
Assessment is continuous, and based on the quality and pertinence of forum discussions and on the works (individual and group) presented for discussion and evaluation.