Course description

This course provides an introduction to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in the school context, drawing on theoretical and applied principles of second language acquisition (SLA), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and the sociology and sociolinguistics of English in a globalising world. It applies theoretical understandings of these fields to practical issues and strategies facing teachers in a range of educational settings in teaching English language learners. The pedagogy of language teaching is approached via the macro-skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, keeping the focus on language as it is used it society. Special emphasis is given to identifying language needs of English language learners in mainstream classes and developing strategies for addressing those needs. Learner backgrounds and identity issues, cognitive strategies, and language learning games are integrated into the pedagogical approach. The subject also teaches student teachers how to encourage and accommodate cultural and linguistic diversity in educational systems.

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