EL7048 - TESOL Syllabus & Materials Design

The module will be delivered through a combination of participative lectures and seminars. Key themes and concepts will be introduced in lectures, supported by seminars that allow further group working, discussion and investigation of relevant topics, ideas and practical skills. All subject areas and theoretical debates within the module will be supported by reference to relevant literature, which you will read outside of class to further develop your knowledge and understanding of the field. In addition to learning during taught hours with the module tutor, you will be expected to undertake both directed and independent learning. Directed learning will generally take the form of suggested weekly readings (relevant to that week’s lecture topic) and preparation for seminars where you will be expected to contribute to group work and full class discussion. Seminars will also contribute to the development of intellectual, transferable and practical skills. Independent learning will generally take the form of further reading and investigation, the consolidation of lecture and seminar notes, and revision/preparation for the assessment of the module. All learning materials, tasks and readings will be posted on the eLP (e-learning portal) to facilitate full participation in the module. Additionally, you will receive formative feedback on your ideas and understandings throughout the module. The module’s final, three-part summative assessment will also provide an opportunity for learning.

The module aims to introduce you to the principles of both materials and course design, and to give you practical experience of developing materials and courses for TESOL students. Lectures and seminars will therefore develop both your academic knowledge (through engagement with language-learning theory and material and syllabus design theory) as well as practical experience of looking at materials and syllabuses and appreciating the methods of design that have produced the final, published product. Your academic development is also facilitated through engagement with the weekly readings, and also discussing theoretical and practical design concerns with your tutor and peers. The module handbook provides details of lectures, seminars, reading lists and assessment criteria; lecture materials are made available on the eLP (see above). The module tutor will be available in lectures and seminars, as well as in ‘Feedback and consultation hours’ (i.e. ‘office hours’) and on email, to discuss any queries or concerns you have about how to excel academically on the module. Formative feedback will be on-going throughout seminar activities. In addition, you have a designated Guidance Tutor throughout the entire duration of your programme. The academic side of the Guidance Tutor’s role includes monitoring your ongoing academic progress, helping you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development, and directing you to further available services which can help them with their academic skills (e.g. the Library’s Skills Plus). You are advised to see your Guidance Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. A thorough working knowledge of the principles behind designing classroom materials and course syllabuses, and a critical stance towards real world examples.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. The skills necessary to design and critically evaluate a set of language learning materials.

3. The skills necessary to design and critically evaluate a short course for language learners

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity):
4. Demonstrate intellectual openness to contemporary and historical academic and professional/practical perspectives on the design and use of TESOL syllabuses and materials.

5. Enhanced skills of conforming to relevant standards of good academic practice

Formative assessment.
You will present your ideas during seminars and will receive formative feedback from the module tutor and peers on any perspectives and practical ideas that you choose to share. Such formative feedback will enable you to test and form your own understanding the principles and practicalities of materials and syllabus design. Formative assessment addresses MLOs 1,2,3 and 4

Summative (graded) assessments.
There are three integrated parts to the assessment for this module (you submit them as one item), for which you will receive a combined mark.

1. Produce a set of ORIGINAL language learning materials for a specified group of language learners, covering 45 minutes of classroom/study time. The materials could be intended for classroom use, private study or Internet-based work (approx. 1,000 words).
2. Plan a 10-hour course for a specified group of learners. (The same group of learners as the previous part of the assessment, and including the provision to teach the materials that you have designed). You will submit a breakdown of the syllabus (approx. 1,000 words)
3. Write an essay which outlines and explains the design criteria, practicalities and theoretical background to the materials and syllabus design tasks (approx. 1,300 words). The essay should outline the choices you have made and your reasons for making them. In explaining the rationale behind your decisions and planning, you will refer to relevant academic literature, where appropriate.

The design and essay assessments will be part of the learning process and address all five MLOs. Feedback will be provide using the programme template, and comments on the scripts.

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This 20-credit module introduces students to the principles of both materials and syllabus design, and gives practical experience of developing materials and courses for TESOL students. The experience gained through participating in the course and completing the assignments will be of both practical and theoretical use for career development.
The module considers a variety of learning materials and course designs, tying these in with pedagogic and methodological approaches. We also look at how courses and materials have developed historically, and how linguistic pedagogies have developed. Teaching and learning will be conducted through online lectures, and students are encouraged to base their summative assessment tasks on the type of student they hope/expect to be teaching, post-Masters.
This summative assessment will be through the production of a set of language learning materials, the design of a language learning course, and an academic essay which discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the design.