TESOL Curriculum and Instruction module (ED51073)

You will develop your understanding of TESOL curriculum design and instruction planning. You will engage with the principles and models of curriculum design. You will be provided with opportunities to develop a mini curriculum. This will allow you to plan instruction for a cohort of students in a hypothetical context.

The module is core to the MEd students with TESOL pathway. It will develop your capacity and employable skills in TESOL teaching.

You will learn about major theories and styles of teaching English as a second language. You will reflect on how each style is underpinned by a particular set of assumptions and theoretical insights. You will also learn how this relationship between theory and teaching style is reflected in TESOL curriculum design. You will learn to apply this understanding to practice through a mini curriculum development project. The lectures, discussions, and tasks are designed to help you develop employable skills and competency for TESOL curriculum design and pedagogy.

Throughout the module, you will be able to put your learning into context with your teaching and social contexts.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• learn about major theories and styles of teaching English as a second language
• reflect on how each style is made up of a particular set of assumptions and/or theoretical insights. You will also learn how this relationship between theory and teaching style is reflected in TESOL pedagogical design
• be encouraged to engage with the critique of each style and to take alternative perspectives into account
• develop your sense of agency. You will also learn how exercising agency is critical in relation to innovating TESOL methodology and encouraging transformative practices
• be provided with contexts and challenges as well as examples of how teachers exercise agency in TESOL contexts

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• scrutinise, analyse and challenge their own and others’ theories and concepts of TESOL
• engage in critical reflection and discussion about TESOL theories and methodologies
• synthesise learning from the module and to apply it to TESOL practice
• understand language learning theories
• understand the theories, methodologies and key concepts relating to TESOL

Assignments / assessment

4,000-word Curriculum design and critical reflection essay (100%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

Full time on campus:

Each semester will consist of 10 weeks of teaching which are all timetabled and the learning and teaching will consist of the following:

• face-to-face lectures
• online learning materials (such as watching, reading, or writing activities for you to try at your own pace)
• online discussion forums (for student interactions)
• reading and completing associated tasks
• peer-to-peer learning opportunities

Online

The module is divided into 12 units and is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:

• live online sessions to include content-based discussions and opportunities for module-related academic questions
• discussion boards
• asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace

Self-driven study time will include:

• reading and completing associated tasks
• engaging with a wide wide range of online materials to support self-study
• writing and working towards your final assessment
• peer-to-peer learning opportunities, so you can learn from your fellow students