EKIA3010 Teaching English Today (5 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Intermediate studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Department of Language and Communication Studies
Coordinating organisation:
Open University, Department of Language and Communication Studies
Curriculum periods:
2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024

Description

Content

This course is targeted at future teachers of English and offers an introduction to key areas of Second Language Acquisition and Language Pedagogies. We will explore theories and practices of language learning from the perspective of teaching English as a so-called “foreign” language in Finland, but also more broadly.

Completion methods

Contact teaching: Weekly readings and tasks, pair and group work, presentation in class

OR

Self-study: Book exam in e-Exam (until spring 2022 was: written tasks)

Assessment details
Contact teaching: Assessment based on active participation in class and the final paper

Self-study: Book exam

Learning outcomes

After completing the course students will be able to

  • understand some key differences/similarities between first and second language acquisition, particularly metalinguistic awareness
  • get at sense of the broader field of TESOL and tap some of its resources
  • think critically about being multilingual and learning languages in Finland (and beyond)
  • discuss traditional theories and current views on L2 learning and teaching in the larger framework of SLA research
  • understand the procedures and benefits of integrating content and language teaching in the English classroom
  • understand the notion of learner language and draw conclusions for their own teaching
  • think within a translanguaging framework and use some translanguaging strategies for their own teaching
  • understand how a teacher can and should take into account learners’ individual differences (and how these differences may affect language learning outcomes)
  • know what fair and multi-dimensional assessment can look like
  • reflect critically on different ways of correcting language learners
  • understand how some language ideologies can be detrimental to promoting multilingualism, language learning, and student wellbeing, and will be able to respond to them with research-based arguments.

Additional information

Participation: 83%

Description of prerequisites

Compulsory prerequisites for major students of English or other languages:
  • KLSP004 Johdatus kieleen ja sen tutkimukseen and
  • KLSP005 / KOPP1000 Kohti kielenopettajuutta.


Recommended prerequisites for minor students of English (majoring in something else than languages): 
  • KLSP004 Johdatus kieleen ja sen tutkimukseen

Study materials

Further reading assigned at the beginning of the course

Literature

  • K. M. Hummel. Introducing Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives and Practices

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Contact teaching, participation: 83%
Evaluation criteria:
Assessment based on active participation in class and the final paper
Select all marked parts

Method 2

Description:
Self-study
Evaluation criteria:
Written tasks
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Participation in teaching (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
Assessment based on active participation in class and the final paper
Language:
English
Study methods:

Preparing tasks and reading assigned texts for each lecture, giving an oral presentation in class based on a recent research article, final paper

Study materials:

Further reading assigned at the beginning of the course

Literature:
  • K. M. Hummel. Introducing Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives and Practices

Teaching

x

Independent study (5 cr)

Type:
Independent study
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
Book exam (until spring 2022 was: written tasks)
Language:
English
Study methods:

Self-study: Book exam in e-Exam (until spring 2022 was: written tasks)

Study materials:
Further reading assigned at the beginning of the course
Literature:
  • K. M. Hummel. Introducing Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives and Practices

Teaching