Didactics of the foreign language (English language B/C) 3200-M2-DYDA
The course focuses on the methodology of teaching English as a foreign language in primary school grades 4–8. It covers teaching methods and techniques, instructional materials, and different forms of classroom work.
Students become familiar with the national curriculum for modern foreign languages, methods of working with primary school learners, as well as learner engagement techniques, teaching materials and aids, and the functions and methods of assessment.
Content covered in the classes includes:
1. Core curriculum, syllabus, course program
2. Learning environment
3. Use of textbooks
5. Multisensory learning, Total Physical Response (TPR)
6. Projects – collaborative learning
7. Content and language Integrated Learning
8. Songs and rhymes in foreign language teaching
9. Use of artistic creativity, artistic props in language teaching
10. Storytelling and drama in foreign language teaching
11. Use of games
12. Use of digital technology and multimedia
13. Assessment
13. The eighth-grade exam
Student workload:
Participation in classes: 30 hours
Preparation for classes: 10 hours
Completing course assignments: 15 hours
Preparation for the exam: 5 hours
Total: 60 hours.
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Term 2025L:
The main aim of the course is to discuss the most important issues in the field of foreign language didactics (on the example of English.) To teach a language it is necessary to familiarise oneself with the theoretical assumptions leading to the process of proper teaching and the expectations of the target group During the course the students will prepare short presentations of selected aspects of teaching on language skills, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, aspects of culture, etc. |
Term 2026L:
The main aim of the course is to discuss the most important issues in the field of foreign language didactics (on the example of English.) To teach a language it is necessary to familiarise oneself with the theoretical assumptions leading to the process of proper teaching and the expectations of the target group During the course the students will prepare short presentations of selected aspects of teaching on language skills, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, aspects of culture, etc. |
Course coordinators
Term 2026L: | Term 2025L: |
Type of course
pedagogical qualifications
foreign languages
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
In terms of knowledge, a graduate knows and understands:
D.1/E.1.W1. the place of a given subject or type of classes within the curricular frameworks for different educational stages;
D.1/E.1.W2. the core curriculum for a given subject, including educational goals and content at each educational stage, the subject or type of class within the context of previous and future education, the structure of knowledge in the subject or classes, and the shaping of key competences within the subject or classes;
D.1/E.1.W5.conventional and unconventional teaching methods, including activating methods and project-based learning, learning through action, exploration, scientific inquiry, and student research, as well as the principles of selecting teaching methods suited to the subject or type of classes;
D.1/E.1.W7. organization of work in the classroom and groups: the need for individualized instruction, the concept of interdisciplinary teaching, work forms specific to the subject or type of classes, such as field trips, outdoor and lab activities, experiments, competitions, and issues related to homework;
D.1/E.1.W8. methods of organizing classroom space, considering universal design principles: teaching aids (textbooks and educational packages), selection and use of educational resources, including electronic and foreign-language resources, educational applications of media and ICT, computational thinking in problem-solving within the taught subject or classes, and the need to find, adapt, and create electronic educational resources and design multimedia;
D.1/E.1.W9. teaching methods related to the taught subject or classes and the importance of fostering a responsible and critical approach to digital media and respecting intellectual property rights;
D.1/E.1.W10. the role of diagnosis, monitoring, and assessment in the educational process; types of assessment: ongoing, mid-term, end-of-year, internal, and external; functions of assessment;
D.1/E.1.W11. final exams at each educational stage and methods of constructing tests, quizzes, and other tools for assessing students within the taught subject;
D.1/E.1.W14. the teacher's work toolkit; efficient use of class time by both students and teachers; issues related to checking and assessing educational quality and its evaluation, as well as the need for analysis and self-assessment in teaching and educational work;
D.1/E.1.W15. the importance of fostering students' positive attitudes toward learning, developing curiosity, activity, and cognitive independence, logical and critical thinking, motivation for studying the subject, habits of systematic learning, use of various knowledge sources, including the Internet, and preparing students for lifelong learning by stimulating independent work.
In terms of skills, a graduate is able to:
D.1/E.1.U5.create educational situations that encourage student activity and interest development, as well as knowledge dissemination;
D.1/E.1.U7. select class work methods and teaching resources, including ICT, that activate students and consider their diverse educational needs;
D.1/E.1.U8. assess student work in class and at home with expertise, professionalism, and integrity;
D.1/E.1.U9. design an assessment tool to evaluate specific student skills;
D.1/E.1.U10. recognize typical student errors for the subject or classes and use them in the teaching process;
D.1/E.1.U11. conduct an initial assessment of students' skills.
In terms of social competences, a graduate is prepared to:
D.1/E.1.K1.adapt work methods to meet the needs and various learning styles of students;
D.1/E.1.K2. promote knowledge among students and in both school and external communities;
D.1/E.1.K4. promote responsible and critical use of digital media and respect for intellectual property rights;
D.1/E.1.K5. foster teamwork skills among students, including group problem-solving;
D.1/E.1.K7. encourage curiosity, activity, cognitive independence, logical and critical thinking in students;
D.1/E.1.K8. instill habits of systematic learning and use of diverse knowledge sources, including the Internet;
D.1/E.1.K9. stimulate students for lifelong learning through independent work.
Assessment criteria
Course Completion Requirements:
Oral/Written Exam
Preparation of exercises using the discussed educational tools and techniques, and a final presentation.
Mandatory attendance (up to two absences are permitted).
The final grade is composed of 40% for ongoing assignments and 60% for the exam.
Assessment Criteria:
60%–70% = 3
71%–76% = 3+
77%–83% = 4
84%–89% = 4+
90%–100% = 5
Practical placement
The course includes professional internships:
60 hours for English as the first subject
or 45 hours for English as the second subject.
Bibliography
References:
1. Szpotowicz, M & M. Szulc-Kurpaska. 2009. Teaching English to Young Learners. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Szkolne PWN
2. Harmer J., 2015. The Practice of English Language Teaching (5th edition). Oxford: Pearson Education Limited.
3. Komorowska H. 2011. Metodyka nauczania języków obcych. Warszawa: Fraszka Edukacyjna
4. Komorowska, H. (ed.) 2011. Nauka języka obcego w perspektywie ucznia. Warszawa: Łośgraf. (123-139).
5. Pinter, A. (2017). Teaching Young Language Learners. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University.
6. Szpotowicz, M. 2011. Wyzwania związane z ocenianiem umiejętności językowych dzieci. Języki Obce w Szkole nr 4/2011. Warszawa: Ośrodek Rozwoju Edukacji.
7. Reilly, V. & S. M. Ward. 1997. Very Young Learners. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Supplementary literature:
1. Celce-Murcia, M. (ed.) 2001. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. Heinle & Heinle.
2. Nunan, D. (ed.) 2001. Practical English Language Teaching. McGraw Hill.
3. Nunan, D. 1999. Second Language Teaching and Learning. Heinle & Heinle.
4. Szpotowicz, M. 2011. Proces uczenia się dzieci w przedszkolu i szkole podstawowej. Ośrodek Rozwoju Edukacji.
5. Tanner, R. & C. Green. 1998. Tasks for Teacher Education. Longman.
6. Ur, P. 2024. A course in Language Teaching. 3rd ed. Cambridge: CUP.
Selected textbooks for learning a foreign language
Excerpts from the series: Innovating Pedagogy:
https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/innovating/
Websites:
https://www.baamboozle.com/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/
https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/cefr-companion-volume-and-its-language-versions
https://cke.gov.pl/
https://elt.oup.com/?cc=pl&selLanguage=pl
https://www.gov.pl/web/edukacja
https://ore.edu.pl/
https://quizlet.com/pl
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/
https://wordwall.net/
https://wayground.com
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Term 2025L:
1/ Brown, H. D. 1998. Principles of Language Learning and Teaching – Longman Pearson |
Term 2026L:
1/ Brown, H. D. 1998. Principles of Language Learning and Teaching – Longman Pearson |