1. MAE805
Classroom Discourse Analysis |
This course introduces students
to the study of situated language use in the social setting
of the classroom. Not only is language the basic medium
through which teaching and learning take place, but it also
has a powerful influence on older children’s language
development. The key questions raised are the following:
How do interaction patterns and overall lesson structure affect
the learning that happens and the quality of knowledge? How
can teachers structure interaction effectively to involve students
actively in the construction of knowledge? How do teachers
achieve the kind of connected learning and coherence across
larger units than the lesson that allows their students’ knowledge
and understanding to be accumulated, modified and deepened? In
what ways do patterns of classroom discourse vary across cultures
of learning and across the key learning areas? |
2. MAE806
Language across the Curriculum |
This course examines the intersection
of language, literacy, curriculum and classroom practice. It
explores the way language affects all aspects of curriculum,
and how success in schooling depends on students’ ability
to negotiate the language and literacy demands within and between
various curriculum areas. It draws on a body of literature
to pinpoint the specific language and literacy demands of key
curricular areas like English, Literature, Humanities and Science,
and how the features of these academic registers function to
realize the purposes of these curricular subjects. It also
offers reflections on current practice in schools, where commonly
it is the sole responsibility of the English teacher to manage
this area of the curriculum, and makes a case for introducing
students to a visible, explicit pedagogy that enables them
to talk about and reflect on language, and achieve a better
understanding of how knowledge in their various subjects is
constructed and presented through language. |
3. MAE807
Language Teacher Education |
This course provides an introduction
to current approaches to language teacher education. It is
aimed at prospective and current language teacher educators
who are interested in developing their skills and knowledge
in teacher development. The course includes ways of helping
pre-service and in-service teachers to develop their theories
of language teaching, strategies for critical self-awareness,
classroom observation and supervision, techniques, as well
as develop strategies for managing and evaluating English Language
programmes. |
4. MAE808
Literature and Language
Education |
Literature promotes engagement
with language in use, critical reading practices, and enjoyment.
This course examines socio-cultural, linguistic and textual
theories advocating an integrated approach to language teaching.
Practical pedagogical examples for employing literature in
English language curriculum, teaching, and assessment at the
primary and secondary level are demonstrated. |
5. MAE809
Oracy Development and Research |
Speaking and listening are important
skills for thinking, learning and communication. This course
examines the concept of oracy by considering views of spoken
English and discusses its role in first and second language
learning. Through a critical reading of research and other
scholarly discussions, participants will learn about speaking
and listening development from cognitive, social and discourse
perspectives. This knowledge will be applied in evaluating
and improving current practices in the teaching and assessment
of speaking and listening competence in first and second language
classrooms. Implications of oracy for thinking and learning
will also be discussed. |
| 6. MAE810 Research in Teaching Written Discourse |
This course offers an opportunity to be acquainted
with current theoretical models of reading and writing that have
informed recent research in the teaching of reading, vocabulary,
writing and grammar. There will be discussion on the implications
of research for the teaching and learning of reading and writing
in course participants’ own professional situations. Discussion
will include critical evaluation of common instructional and
assessment practices with reference to the development of reading
and writing competencies beyond the level of sentence decoding
and production. |
7. MAE811
Second Language Classroom Learning |
The course explores the connections between current
research on language learning and practical applications for
classroom teaching. The focus is on learners who do not use English
as their dominant/home language. The course identifies current
issues in language learning theory and teaching, and critically
examines theories on second language and bilingual learning in
classroom settings, analyze the ways in which these theories
may or may not apply to classroom situations, evaluate and adapt
methods, techniques, tasks, and materials for classroom teaching. |
8. MAE812
Using ICT in the Language Classroom |
In recent years, information and communication
technologies have been heralded as a solution in diverse language
learning contexts. Computer-based courseware, multimedia and
the Internet have all been applied to the problems of learning
language – but have significant advances been made? This
course is designed to foster a critical discussion of the pedagogical
issues relating to these applications from a variety of theoretical
and practice-based perspectives. At the end of the course, students
will be able to explain to what extent such technologies have
enhanced the teaching of languages, and give relevant examples
from course case studies. They will also be able to identify
issues for further research and devise a preliminary plan for
investigation. |
