TEFL materials as key tools in language learning (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:
-- demonstrate knowledge of communicative theories and their implementation in teaching foreign languages
-- critically evaluate examples of the various communicative techniques implemented in the TEFL materials
-- implement principles of designing TEFL materials
-- plan, produce and execute age and curriculum appropriate teaching materials based on authentic sources
-- use ICT and simple robotics and programming software in materials design and preparation (apps, learning platforms and environments, bee-bots, Scratch)
-- design and present a TEFL age and curriculum appropriate project

Execution methods

Teacher presentations and demonstrations, individual and group work, practical exercises, discussions, homework in the form of teaching materials preparation, peer-testing and evaluation of prepared and executed TEFL materials
Contact teaching 50h and 85 h of independent work. Face-to-face, in-class teaching.

Accomplishment methods

Required attendance, active participation and successful completion of all assignments related to planning, designing and execution of age and curriculum appropriate TEFL materials.

The following is a breakdown of credits students earn for the course, for administrative purposes only. So, please note that the course is for 5 ects/op. Therefore one cannot just produce selected materials for a reduced amount of credits. All course assignments must be submitted.


Active participation, peer evaluation of materials 1.5 ects    pass/fail
Planning, designing and execution of age and curriculum appropriate TEFL materials 3.5 ects / 5-1/fail

Content

-- communicative theories reflected in teaching materials
-- principles of designing and adapting TEFL materials
-- introduction to the main communicative techniques: information gap  (describe and draw, spot the difference,  jigsaw), role play / simulation, interviews, debates, surveys; trying out and critically evaluating examples of these techniques
-- creating or adapting samples of communicative materials and testing with a small group of peers , followed by reflection and evaluation of the materials
-- planning, producing and executing teaching materials based on authentic sources
-- planning, producing and executing ICT-based materials (apps, learning platforms and environments, bee-bots, Scratch)
-- designing and presenting a TEFL age and curriculum appropriate project

Materials

Course materials prepared by the lecturer, student-made materials,  Internet resources, ICT materials, authentic materials (e.g. magazines, ICT and audio-visual materials), other materials and sources recommended by the lecturer (for example relevant articles from ELT journals,  such as: ELT Journal, TESOL Quarterly, TESOL Journal, The Modern Language Journal, open access journals). 

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

0 - hylätty /fail
 
Detailed criteria for evaluation of various types of TEFL materials will be presented during the course. All course assignments must be submitted and tasks completed to earn at least grade 1.

The prepared and presented materials are not language level, or age or curriculum appropriate. One or more assignments have not been submitted. The student does not participate in group work on materials design, production and presentation.
 
1 - välttävä / sufficient
 
Detailed criteria for evaluation of various types of TEFL materials will be presented during the course. All course assignments must be submitted and tasks completed and tasks completed to earn at least grade 1.
 
Most of the TEFL materials are not age or curriculum appropriate but they meet the minimum criteria. The student demonstrates a low level of understanding of communicative theories and principles of materials design. The materials are based on ready models, without any adaptation. There are significant shortcomings in the presentation and execution of materials.
 
2 - tyydyttävä / satisfactory
 
Detailed criteria for evaluation of various types of TEFL materials will be presented during the course. All course assignments must be submitted to earn at least grade 1.

Some TEFL materials are age and curriculum appropriate but not all. The student demonstrates a satisfactory level of understanding of communicative theories and principles of materials design. The materials are mostly based on ready models, without adaptation. There are shortcomings in the presentation and execution of materials.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3 - hyvä / good
 
Detailed criteria for evaluation of various types of TEFL materials will be presented during the course. All course assignments must be submitted and tasks completed to earn at least grade 1.
 
TEFL materials are mostly age and curriculum appropriate. The student demonstrates a solid understanding of communicative theories and principles of materials design and displays a degree of creativity. The student is able to implement that knowledge into producing interesting materials. The presentation and execution of materials is performed well. However, some materials may not be exactly language level, or age, or curriculum appropriate. Some materials may be based on ready models without a good degree of adaptation. The presentation and execution of materials is performed well.
 
4 - kiitettävä / very god
 
Detailed criteria for evaluation of various types of TEFL materials will be presented during the course. All course assignments must be submitted and tasks completed to earn at least grade 1.
 
TEFL materials are age and curriculum appropriate. The student demonstrates a very good grasp of communicative theories and principles of materials design and displays a very good degree of creativity and innovation. The student is able to implement that knowledge into producing interesting, motivating and meaningful materials. The presentation and execution of materials is performed very well.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 - erinomainen /excellent
 
Detailed criteria for evaluation of various types of TEFL materials will be presented during the course. All course assignments must be submitted and tasks completed to earn at least grade 1.

TEFL materials are age and curriculum appropriate. The student demonstrates deep understanding of communicative theories and principles of materials design and displays creativity, is innovative and can think independently and in an original way. The student is able to implement that knowledge into producing interesting, motivating and meaningful materials. The presentation and execution of materials is outstanding.
 

Qualifications

Finnish students: completed lape1623 Pedagogy of English and Swedish languages, 3 op

International students: recommended completion of lape 1623 Pedagogy of English and Swedish languages (only the English part for 2ects/op) in the autumn semester, or IEDU0008 Teaching English as a foreign language (EFL), 2 ects/op in the spring semester, or courses  with the corresponding content

CEFR level B2 of English is recommended to follow the classes and complete written assignments. A very general assessment of one’s CEFR level can be found at
http://kaares.ulapland.fi/home/hkunta/ealssen/exss/CEFR.html