Learning and Teaching English as a Foreign Language - the Development of Language Skills in Different Age Groups- MA Seminar 1 3301-JSS1HRY
The aim of the seminar is to discuss the issues concerning the process of learning and teaching foreign languages to children and adults. The following topics are suggested for discussion: developing language skills, literacy in particular, sociolinguistic competence, learning strategies as well as acquiring vocabulary and grammar. During the seminar aspects of teaching and learning will be discussed, such as: motivation, autonomy, using didactic aids and authentic materials, the development of intercultural competence as well as communicative and integrative approaches to teaching foreign languages. Additionally, topics which are covered during the seminar include: ways of analyzing discourse for the purposes of foreign language learning and teaching, assessment techniques, individual differences, classroom interactions, the role of the mother tongue and its influence on the acquisition of English. Forms of work: exercises, reading and analyzing academic texts, presentations and discussions.
The aim of the first semester is learning the specifics of writing a master’s thesis, its structure, the types of content which should be included in its parts and the formal requirements that the writer should follow. Students should formulate the topics and the titles, problems and the plans of their works. They should select appropriate sources, learn the conventions of citing and writing a bibliography. Passages of example academic texts will be analyzed. Students should study the chosen sources, discuss the key concepts and organize the content of their work. The final requirement: around 10 pages of work should be submitted (the background of the problem, the plan of the work and the beginning of the overview of previous research).
The second semester will be devoted to discussions on key concepts and previous research results (theoretical and empirical) connected with the chosen topics of the students’ theses. Students write chapters including a review of literature on their chosen subject and learn about the research methodology used in foreign language learning and teaching. They select methods that are most appropriate for their topics and plan the empirical / analytical parts of their works. Ways of presenting research and interpreting results are also discussed. Final requirement: they should submit a review of the literature used in their work (ca. 25 pages) and a plan of the empirical part of their work together with research questions.
In the third semester, students finish the first drafts of their theses including: the title page, the table of contents, the introduction, the overview of literature and key concepts, the research conducted, conclusions, bibliography and appendices. Problems and questions are consulted. Students should formulate the first version of the whole work in this semester.
The fourth semester is devoted to preparing the final versions of the theses. Students review, add the necessary content, and edit their works. They also start preparing for the diploma exam. They present their knowledge on the topics required at the exam. The final requirement: students should submit the final version of their work, accepted by the supervisor, and be able to present the acquired knowledge in their field of studies.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE:
The student can:
K_W01 Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of linguistics within the humanities, with particular emphasis on foreign language didactics
K_W02 Describe on an advanced level the current trends in linguistic research within English studies, with an emphasis on issues related to the development of language skills
K_W04 Characterize on an advanced level the principles of research design in linguistics, with special focus on the application of methods and tools in formulating research problems and testing hypotheses in foreign language didactics
K_W05 Identify the notions and principles pertinent to intellectual property and copyright
K_W06 Characterise economic, legal and other factors relevant for various kinds of professional activities related to the study programme, in particular for teaching foreign languages
SKILLS:
The student can:
K_U01 Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to foreign language didactics
K_U02 Apply advanced research methodology within linguistics and English studies, especially in the area of foreign language didactics, respecting ethical norms and copyright law
K_U03 Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to the discipline linguistics, specifically foreign language didactics
K_U04 Analyze linguistic, literary and cultural phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level - special emphasis on foreign language didactics
K_U05 Discern alternative methodological paradigms within linguistics and foreign language didactics
K_U06 Find information in various sources and critically assess its usefulness for research related to the topic of the MA project
K_U07 Use modern technology in the process of learning and communicating with academic teachers, colleagues, representatives of various institutions and fellow participants in classes and projects, applying various channels and techniques of communication
K_U09 Present knowledge in a coherent, precise and linguistically correct manner in English on level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ensuring an appropriate register and form
K_U011 Design one’s own development
SOCIAL COMPETENCES:
The student can:
K_K02 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development
K_K03 Take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to the disciplines included on the curriculum of English studies
K_K04 Assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to the studies
Assessment criteria
Students receive grades on the basis of the final version of the thesis, its content and knowledge of the conventions of writing academic theses, as well as the knowledge required for the final exam.
Additionally, the following are taken into account:
- attendance and active participation in the seminars,
- reading the recommended texts and the ability to discuss their content,
- submitting required parts of the thesis on time, and doing other assignments.
Bibliography
Suggested reading. The list depends on the topics of the theses.
Bell, J., 2010. Doing Your Research Project. A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill Education.
Chapelle, C. A. (ed.), 2013. The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Cohen, L., L. Manion, K. Morrison, 2000. Research Methods in Education. London: Routledge.
Dakowska, M., 2003. Current Controversies in Foreign Language Didactics. Warsaw: Warsaw University Press.
Dakowska, M., 2005. Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A Guide for Professionals. Warsaw: PWN.
Dörnyei, Z., 2007. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ellis, R., 2008. The Study of Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: OUP.
Kumaravadivelu, B., 2003. Beyond Methods: Macrostrategies for Language Teaching. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Larsen-Freeman, D., M. H. Long, 2014. An Introduction to Second Language Acquisition Research. London: Routledge.
Pinter, A., 2011. Children Learning Second Languages. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Richards, J. C. and Renandya W. A. (eds.), 2002. Methodology in Language Teaching. An Anthology of Current Practice. Cambridge: CUP.
Seliger, H. W., E. Shohamy, 1989. Second Language Research Methods. Oxford: OUP.
Swales, J. M., M. Feak, 2004. Academic writing for graduate students. Ann Arbor: Michigan University Press.
Wilczyńska, W., A. Michońska-Stadnik, 2010. Metodologia badań w glottodydaktyce. Kraków: Avalon.
Other books and articles (depending on the needs).
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: