Syllabus Design

A Functional-Notional
Syllabus

Khurram Shahzad @ University of Sahiwal

 What is a Functional-Notional
syllabus?
 Syllabus which focuses on the functions being
the primary organizing feature.

 The course content highlights functions as the

main feature and not grammatical structures.

 It is based on two important aspects ‘notions’

and ‘functions’

Khurram Shahzad @ University

of Sahiwal
 Defining notions and functions

Notion:
 Notions mean aspects such as space, time,
movement, cause and effect.

Function:
 While functions mean the intentional or
purposive use of language.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Functional-notional syllabus in EFL
context

 A notional functional approach to syllabus is

good for an EFL context because it aims to
develop communicative competence in the
learner. Not only does he know the language,
he also knows how to use it when the time
requires.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Students’ needs
 To undertake the course as a compulsory
requirement.

 To be able to understand the course material.

 To be able to develop language competence

through this course.

 To be able to use language in real life

situations for their own benefits and
interests.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Goals

Goals of this syllabus is

 To consider discourse into context.

 To develop the socio-linguistic competence of

the learners.

 To develop conversational fluency among the

learners.

 To improve overall English language

communication of the students.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Objectives

objectives of the course are to

 Develop the communicative aspect along with

the grammar and situational factors.

 Sustain the motivation of learners as

communicative competence is targeted.

 Provide the learners with a variety of

language functions.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 About learners and the course

 Level: Class 7th

 Class Time: 45 mins

 Age: 11-12 years

 Course name: English

 Course type: compulsory

 Setting: EFL context

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Rationale for Syllabus type
This syllabus type is selected because

 It will enable the learners to not only pass

the exam but also be able to use language in
real life depending to communicate their own
interests and terms.

 To highlight the importance of speaking and

listening apart from reading and writing
(which are generally more focused in our
language learning and teaching scenario)

 It will minimize students’ reliance on rote

learning.

 It also provides more chances of student-

Khurram student interaction.
Shahzad @
 Syllabus shape

 Syllabus shape selected is STORYLINE.

Rationale for selection:

 Progression becomes easy to show in

functional-notional syllabus.

 Advantageous for functional-notional type.

 Thematic continuity.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 SYLLABUS DESIGN
SYLLABUS FOR 1 WEEK

Khurram
Shahzad @
Function Exponents Situation Notion Lexical Grammar Topic

Asking Where On the Direction Traffic simple Going for

directions and should----- road , location signal, present shopping
responding to ( I turn?) zebra tense
instructions, crossing, (imperative)
You traffic + should
should---- constabl
(turn right e,
from the pedestria
crossroad) ns,
detour,
rules,
automob
iles,
navigatio
n,
crossroa
ds,
roundab
out

Khurram
Shahzad @
Function Exponents Situation Notion Lexical Grammar Topic

Asking for How much At the Quantity price Simple Shopping

information is it? market (How clothes, present. (1st
(price, much) adjective form of
material) It is ------ quality s of verb)
(size and size,
shape) colour,
shape
etc.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Functio Expo Situat Noti Lexi Gram Topic
n nents ion on cal mar
Asking What/ At the Time Trai Simple Going on
for where travel (spec n, present holiday
informa shoul agenc ific plan tense
tion, d--- y time) e, (1st
suggesti (plann , bus form
ons You ing a oblig (mea of
suggesti shoul trip) ation ns of verb) +
ng d---- (mod trave modals
al) l)
Tick Interro
et, gative,
Rese affirma
rvati tive
on,
acco
mod
ation
,
hotel
,
cam
Khurram ping
Shahzad @
 CONTENTS Going for shopping pg.6-10
- Finding the way
-Reaching the market

Shopping pg. 11-13

- In the market
- Buying clothes

Going on a holiday pg. 14-16

- Booking a trip
-What should I take

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Evaluation

At the end of the week they will have to

- Write a dialogue between two friends in which

one of them is planning a holiday and the other
is advising on what to do.

- In the next week they will be tested upon

what they have learnt previously through a
class test.

Khurram
Shahzad @
 Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

 Communicatively useful expressions.

 Suitable for beginners.

 Focus on communication.

Disadvantages:

 Not much analytical.

 Fluency at the expense of accuracy.

Khurram
Shahzad @
Thank You

Mr. Khurram Shahzad

University of Sahiwal
Khurram Shahzad @ University of
Sahiwal