LSMDIP: Language Teaching Portfolio

Module code: LSMDIP

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2 / Summer

Module convenor: Dr Tony Capstick, email: tony.capstick@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module enables students to relate theories of second language learning and teaching to practice.  Through the observation of classroom events, the detailed analysis of a language learner, the development of lesson plans and delivery of teaching (in micro-teaching sessions), students will acquire basic knowledge of how to evaluate, adapt, plan and deliver a lesson or part of a lesson, and of how to analyse the language of a learner. It includes relating pedagogical approaches from other core modules on this programme to a specific learner’s needs.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate knowledge of a range of classroom procedures and techniques, and demonstrate understanding of the rationale underlying these procedures; 
2. Identify a learner’s needs and identify an appropriate approach to integrating productive and receptive skills for the teaching of English to that learner.  
3. Apply written reflection on the design of an English language lesson and the delivery of specific aspects of that lesson 
4. Evaluate their own teaching through structured reflection on aspects of teaching, e.g. lesson plans 
5. Critically evaluate findings in relation to pedagogy, professional needs, and previous research in language teaching  
6. Produce an organised and well-written essay with a clearly stated focus in accordance with appropriate academic conventions. 

Module content

The module has 10 core topics: 

• Starting out as an English language teacher 
• Designing a needs analysis 
• Designing classroom activities 
• Classroom management 
• English language learners 
• Planning lessons and courses 
• Productive skills and receptive skills 
• Teaching different classes 
• Using technology 
• Tools, techniques and activities 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

After the training received during the Issues in Language Skills Teaching and Research Design Methods module, students will engage with a significant amount of independent learning involving observing recorded language lessons, data collection, data analysis, and portfolio writing. Students will be guided in tutorials by a supervisor either face-to-face or online. The independent learning patterns will change as students’ progress from directed activities during supervisions at early stages to more guided and more autonomous activities later. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

2 peer observation of language lessons in Week 8 of Semester 2.

Reassessment

Additional costs