Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

Language awareness (ALC8024) is offered as one of three main modules. The other two are Language Learning (ALC8026) and English Language Teaching Methods (ALC8025).

Students will be required to choose 2 of the above modules.

Aims

The purpose of this module is to give students a thorough understanding of the key systems (phonetics and phonology, morphology, lexis, grammar and syntax, and pragmatics) of the English language and to develop their understanding and use of appropriate metalanguage. This is viewed as the ‘core knowledge’ that any English language teacher needs in order to perform their role. Specific aims include:

-       To enable students to use the terminology and technical language of the discipline (TESOL).
-       To help students to identify the particular problems that language learners may have with each system.
-       To equip students with the skills needed to analyse language for teaching purposes.
-       To give students a detailed understanding of specific language systems.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introduction to the module inc. assessment. Introduction to meta-language
2. English Phonetics
3. Introduction to Phonology
4. Morphology: word structure
5. The word. Lexical and grammatical word classes
6. Semantics. Introduction to lexical meaning
7. Grammar and syntax I
8. Grammar and syntax II
9. Introduction to pragmatics
10. Implications for language teaching
11. Drop-in session (assignment support)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to
•       Explain phonetics; phonology; morphology; lexis; semantics; syntax; and pragmatics using metalanguage, at a level appropriate for language teachers
•       Predict what difficulties learners may have each of these systems
•       Give examples of language items that may cause problems for learners, and analyse / explain why these items may be problematic with reference to the literature
•       Analyse and criticise the language items that are taught to students

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to
•       Differentiate between language items in teaching materials and texts in terms of their relative difficulty for learners of different proficiency levels
•       Demonstrate their awareness of meta-language via in-class discussions and the final assessment
•       Appraise teaching content for the different English language systems

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures (in person) and lecture materials (online) provide an introduction to the weekly content, establish a basic level of understanding of the topic, provide opportunities for discussion within class, and signal areas for individual further study and essential and further reading.

Seminars offer an opportunity for further exploration, discussion, and personal reflection, through small group activities. Seminar activities are often linked to pre-lecture reading.

Structured Guided Learning activities provide students with weekly opportunities to consolidate learning through guided tasks linked to the weekly topic and online lecture materials.

Independent study will enable wider reading, further personal self-reflection and assignment preparation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Language awareness is a subject which requires both theoretical knowledge and practical analytical skills, which is the rationale for having two parts to the assignment. Part A is based on theory, and students will be required to refer to the literature. Part B is the practical application of their knowledge from part A. It requires an advanced understanding of the theory in order for students to justify their analysis. Students will have an opportunity to prepare for the assessment through their background (required) reading and through guided study and by completing short written homework exercises (non-assessed) throughout the module. Two of the nine seminars provide exercises explicitly linked to the assignment.

General Notes

N/A