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.
3 absences are allowed during the semester.
Course coordinators
Type of course
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE:
The student can:
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in foreign language didactics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_W02 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_W04 identify the notions and principles pertinent to intellectual property and copyright
K_W05 economic, legal, ethical and other conditions of the various professional activities related to the field of study
SKILLS:
The student can:
K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and methods of linguistic research to solve complex and original research problems in foreign language didactics, in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_U02 apply advanced principles of research design in foreign language didactics, and in particular is able to:
- select appropriate sources, methods and tools
- critically analyze and synthesize the current state of research in the discipline
- interpret and present the results obtained
using advanced information and communication techniques
K_U03 use structures, lexis and language conventions appropriate to the communicative situation (e.g. holding a public debate, giving an academic presentation, etc.) in spoken and written English at the minimum level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law
K_U05 apply the knowledge of economic, legal, ethical and other conditions of various professional activities related to the field of study
K_U07 use modern technology to acquire knowledge and communicate through a variety of communication channels and techniques
K_U09 design their own development path and guide others in so doing
SOCIAL COMPETENCES:
The student can:
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required
Assessment criteria
Students receive a credit 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:
- reading the recommended texts.
- participation in discussions based on their content,
- submitting required parts of the thesis on time, and doing other assignments.
Using AI tools is not allowed.
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).