The Methodology & Practice of

Language Teaching

Week 1:Introduction
ADAPTED FROM THE SLIDES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH AUTHORED
BY SIMON DYE
 Introduction and Rationale
• Current practice and developments in language
teaching,
• Different perspectives on language teaching and
learning,
• Focus on specific practical aspects of language
teaching
a. lesson planning,
b. classroom management
c. educational technology.
 Introduction and Rationale
• explore different approaches to the teaching of
a. the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and
speaking
b. the teaching and learning of lexis, grammar and
pronunciation.

• the role of mistakes and feedback in second language

teaching and learning
• take a critical look at the use of coursebooks and analysing
the features of successful materials development.
 Main texts

See module handbook for list of additional texts,

including journal titles
 Assessment

• 100% Coursework:

– Term 1: Essay submitted December 2023

(34%)

– Term 2: Final Portfolio submitted 20 March

2024 (33%)

– Term 3: Teaching Practice Report submitted 24

April 2024 (33%)
 Essay
• Write a 3,000-word essay on one of the following English
Language Teaching topics.

• Titles must be confirmed with the course tutor by 25th

October 2023

• Your essay must make reference to the suggested text for the
topic as well as at least two other academic sources (books or
journal articles). Copies of the suggested texts can be found in
the appendix at the end of the module handbook.
 Topic 1
Discuss the significance of motivation in
language learning and the role of the teacher in
promoting motivation among language learners.

• Suggested Reading: Dornyei, Z. (2014), ‘Motivation in Second

Language Learning’ in Celce Murcia, M., Brinton, D., and
Snow, M. (eds) (2014), Teaching English as a Second or
Foreign Language (Fourth Edition), Heinle Cengage Learning
 Topic 2
Discuss the arguments for and against making
distinctions between native and non-native
English teachers.

• Suggested Reading: Mullock, B. (2010) ‘Does a good language

teacher have to be a native speaker?’ in Mahboob, A. (ed)
(2010) The NNEST lens: Non-native English speakers in TESOL,
Cambridge Scholars
 Topic 3
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of one or
more of the following methods, approaches or
procedures:

• Task-based Learning
• The Lexical Approach
• PPP

• Suggested Reading: Harmer, J. (2015) The Practice of English Language

Teaching, Fifth Edition, Pearson, Chapter 4: Popular Methodology
 Portfolio
• Four tasks to be completed throughout the
module:

– Lesson Plan
– Commentary on DVD lesson
– Commentary on Learner English
– Materials Design

• First three tasks to be submitted in two drafts. Final

submission: single draft of task 4, plus drafts 1 and 2 of tasks
1–3
 Teaching Practice Report
• As part of the assessment for the course, you will be required
to teach a minimum of one 20 minute session in a language
class.

• You will not be observed for this session but will be assessed
on the report, which should provide an account of your
planning and delivery of the session as well as your reflections
on the experience.
 Teaching Practice Report
• Normally students are expected to make their own
arrangements for teaching practice but will be provided with
assistance in doing this.

• There may be an opportunity for some students to conduct

teaching practice within the university, but there is no
guarantee of this.

• Further guidance on arranging and delivering your teaching

practice (as well as on writing your report) will be provided
during the course, but it is important that you start planning
as soon as possible.