Posted: May 28th, 2015

Theory and Practice of TESOL

Theory and Practice of TESOL

What should a teacher of ESOL take into account when teaching spoken language?
Base your answer on your own context and consider:
• the learner – why are they learning English? Age? Social, cultural and economic conditions etc.
• the context – where? Role of English in the society etc.,
• role of the first language and English inside and outside the classroom
• current teaching approaches, the curriculum, text books, teaching resources – what is the position of spoken language
In this assignment you need to demonstrate close reading of the set readings and should draw on your experience, if any, of learning and / or teaching a English or another language.

Guidelines – Assignment 1

Section 1 (500 – 700 words)

a. Describe your learners – their age, their language level, educational background, any significant social /cultural / economic factors. Anything else that may have an impact on their English language learning. Why are your particular students learning English? What are their goals?

b. Describe the learning and teaching context – where is the teaching taking place? A school / college / private institution / university? What are the characteristics of the institution – eg, is it state or private funded?
What is the role of English in the society of the class you describe? Is it the official language? Or language of instruction? Is it a second or foreign language? If the latter, what is the ‘value’ of English?

Section 2
a. What are the characteristics of spoken language? What are the differences between spoken and written language? What are the implications of the differences between spoken and written language? (700 words) Refer to readings.
b. Describe how English language is taught. What are the preferred methodologies / teaching approaches in your school / college etc? What are your preferred approaches? What is the position of spoken language in your teaching approach? Do you teach all the macro-skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) equally? (700) Refer to readings
c. Describe the curriculum and / or textbook that you use – give examples if possible and review critically, eg, what is your opinion.
d. Describe and give examples of your teaching materials / resources. (C+D 500)

013121 – assignment 1
One way of setting out your assignment:

Introduction
Give an overview of your essay – you may wish to point out a particular issue that you will be addressing.

The Profile of the Learners and their reasons for Learning English
• Describe your learners – their age, their language level, educational background, any significant social /cultural / economic factors.
• Anything else that may have an impact on their English language learning.
• Why are your particular students learning English?
• What are their goals?

Context and the role of English in the society : The role of [language] and English inside and outside the classroom
• Is English the language of the community outside of the classroom?
• If yes, do the students use English outside of the classroom or do they use L1?
• Is English a subject in a course or is it taught as an ELF / EAL / EIL or EFL?
• What is the status of English in this context? Is it used outside of the classroom? Where and what for?

Context of the teaching course
• Describe the learning and teaching context – where is the teaching taking place? A school / college / private institution / university?
• What are the characteristics of the institution – eg, is it state or private funded?

Teaching spoken language
• Discuss characteristics of spoken language
• Discuss the differences between spoken and written language – what are the implications for teaching? You may wish to refer to the teaching materials you use here – do they reflect authentic spoken language?
• What makes speaking and listening difficult or not?

Teaching approach
• Describe how English language is taught in your particular context – you may include the role of the teacher, the role of the students and the teaching resources available.
• Which are the preferred methodologies /teaching approaches in your school /college etc?
• Which are your preferred approaches?
• How important is spoken language in your teaching approach?
• What is the role of L1 in the classroom?
• Do you teach all the macro-skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) equally?

Teaching materials: curriculum and / textbook
• Describe the curriculum and / or textbook that you use – give examples if possible and review critically, eg, what is your opinion.
• Describe and give examples of your teaching materials / resources.