Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to provide learners with a theory- and practice-based account of:

a)       course design features of distance language teaching delivered online,
b)       effective practices in delivering synchronous and asynchronous language teaching
c)       engaging learners and establishing a community within a virtual learning environment
d)       perspectives on online language assessment and future directions in online language teaching.

Outline Of Syllabus

We first explore what constitutes online teaching within distance language learning and discuss the essentials of online courses. We engage in online language teaching for different group sizes starting with course design for extremely large groups, followed by small group institutional online teaching, and 1-1 tutoring. We then discover effective practice in designing and delivering asynchronous teaching in virtual learning environments. Finally, we investigate various online assessment methods, points to consider when teaching young learners online, and future directions in online language teaching and your future teaching career.

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to link the respective theoretical frameworks with your own previous experiences and beliefs; explore the relationship between theory and pedagogic practice and experience; design, deliver, and reflect upon 1-1 teaching via videoconferencing, and explore the pedagogic potential of different online teaching tools and resources (including MOOCs, VLEs, videoconferencing technologies and others). Through research-informed pedagogy and reflective practice, you will develop effective practices for teaching languages online.

Week 1 – Basics of online course design: the essentials
Week 2 – Setting up and managing a learning management system
Week 3 – Massive Open Online Courses
Week 4 – Small class teaching: engaging and motivating learners online
Week 5 – Synchronous 1-1 tutoring (via videoconferencing): a focus on social presence
Week 6 – Multimodality (reflective language teaching practice via videoconferencing 1)
Week 7 – Instructional conversations (reflective language teaching practice via videoconferencing 2)
Week 8 – Giving task instructions, online assessment & giving feedback (reflective language teaching practice via videoconferencing 3)
Week 9 – Creating engaging pre-recorded video content
Week 10 – Future directions and your future teaching career
Week 11 – Assessment preparation (Drop-in/surgery)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

•       a range of theoretical approaches and tools for teaching languages online
•       key elements of designing and delivering synchronous and asynchronous online language teaching
•       approaches to the design for language teaching and the ideas about language and learning they are based on.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

•       identify requirements for online language teaching for different group sizes
•       develop effective practices for online language teaching both in synchronous and asynchronous environments
•       create a virtual learning environment and engaging pre-recorded video content
•       establish an online teacher presence, support and facilitate an online community
•       identify approaches to online language assessment
•       conceptualise and recognise the practical implications of the changing roles and activities of teachers and learners in online language teaching.

Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
•       examine and reflect on your own online learning and teaching experiences and beliefs and relate these to current theory
•       demonstrate digital literacy skills in ICT literacy, information literacy and learning skills in digital environments

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching methods include pre-recorded lecture materials and activities for self study, tutor-led and small-group discussions, workshops with small-group or individual tasks. Learning activities include reading key texts, engaging with recorded lecture materials and tasks, participating in seminars and workshops, online language teaching practice and reflection, individual and collaborative study.

Lecture materials provide an introduction to the weekly content, establish a basic level of understanding of the topic, and signal areas for individual further study and reading materials on special topics.

Seminars offer a discussion of current research papers related to the weekly topics and ensure a research-informed perspective towards effective online language teaching practices.

Workshops, 1-1 online teaching sessions and reflections provide experience in effective planning, designing and delivery of online language teaching drawing on a theoretical background.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The reflective log demonstrates the students’ skills in delivering online teaching via videoconferencing and their development in specific areas through reflective practice with reference to theory and research. (2000 words + video recordings of teaching practice)

The essay provides the opportunity for the learners to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in effective online course design, and elements of teaching and learning to create motivating, engaging, and interactive virtual learning environments for a given context. (2000 words)

General Notes

N/A