Pakistan Teacher Education and Professional Development Program

At Oregon State University

English Language Institute

  

 


EFL Trends 2 – Methods, Materials and Strategies

 

 


Course Description

This course focuses on current EFL methodology and effective classroom practices.  It is designed to compliment the skills and projects in other parts of this teacher education and professional development program.  We are going to explore how theory can be related to and understood through practice and, in particular, we will look at ways that new trends in English teaching may be applied to Pakistani classes. In this course we will observe English language classes, talk with educators, and begin to define projects for investigation and research.

 

We will usually meet in Education 129 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30-11.00. For any changes in this schedule, see the attached Course Syllabus.

 

The discussions will be based on readings and activities taken from:

Ø      Brown, H. Douglas. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy, 2nd ed. (2001). Longman.

Ø      Hess, Natalie. Teaching Large Multilevel Classes. (2001). Cambridge University Press.

 

Objectives for Trends 1 and 2

·        Give participants exposure to a wide range of the most recent developments in English language teaching.

·        Give participants the opportunity to discuss these issues with a variety of speakers who are experts in the area.

·        Allow participants to share experiences and collaborate with one another in examining how these issues can be applied their own contexts.

·        Provide opportunities, through in-class tasks, classroom observations and presentations, to reflect on the practical applicability of the course contents.

 

Evaluation

The assessment of your performance in the class will be based on:

Ø      Participation in class discussions and activities

Ø      Completion of assigned readings and tasks

Ø      Demonstration of how these new trends in English language teaching can be applied to your own classes

 

 

Guest speakers

Drawing on the expertise of teachers in the community, a series of guest presenters have been invited to share their knowledge, experience, and points of view with us.  Besides giving us the chance to see many different presentation styles, these speakers, along with the readings, will generate ideas for our discussion sessions.

 

Observations

You will have the opportunity to observe ESL classrooms here in Corvallis at the English Language Institute or in the public schools.  This will allow us to compare classroom practices here in the US with those in Pakistan and consider how the context shapes teaching and learning.

 

Instructor

Rick Finnan

     Office: Snell Hall 320

     Telephone: 737-6986 (Dial only 7-6989 if using a campus phone.)

     E-mail: rick.finnan@oregonstate.edu

     Office hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00-3:50; other times by appointment