James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

ED3217:03

Second Language Curriculum

Townsville HECS Band 1

13 hours lectures, 26 hours workshops/seminars. Semester 1, Limited Attendance.

Available to Bachelor of Education students as a secondary curriculum study. Also suitable as an elective subject for either students in the Bachelor of Education Primary program intending to teach LOTE or any students with an interest in the teaching of English as a second language (ESL). Graduate BEd students are required to take this subject with or before if it is their first teaching area. It is recommended to be taken before if it is their second teaching area.

Staff: Dr M Allan.

This subject provides an introduction to principles and practice in the teaching and learning of second languages and to the theories of language and of language acquisition that inform current approaches. There is a focus on ways of implementing the task-based, communicative approach widely adopted in the teaching of English as a second language (ESL) and in the new LOTE syllabus being introduced in Queensland.

Learning Objectives:

  1. develop an understanding of the complexities of the language learning process in terms of cognitive and social development and of acquiring communicative and cultural competence;
  2. describe main approaches to language teaching and learning, with particular focus on communicatively-based methodology;
  3. analyse the underlying theories of language and of language learning underlying these approaches;
  4. demonstrate the ability to plan and implement effective practices in teaching a second language.

Assessment by on-line presentation task (10%); curriculum project (40%); seminar presentation (50%).