Course Catalogue

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This Semester Two option in the M Ed/MSc TESOL cluster provides an overview of English in the world, its varieties and domains of use. As an introduction to sociolinguistics, it covers issues of language status, norms, standards, models, attitudes, and intelligibility (intercultural communication) and how they relate to language planning and language policy in different contexts.

Daytime sessions 8 x 1hr lectures. 6 x 2hr seminars
Completion of online tasks throughout the semester.

None

The course assessment includes two parts: 1. a mid-course assignment (reflection log/report) of 2,000 words representing critical reflections on key concepts learned in the course (25% of the final grade), and 2. a final 2,000-word essay (75% of the final grade) comprising a case study of the role of English language in a chosen country and how this affects practice in the ELT classroom in the country, drawing on an appropriate selection of the issues raised during the course.

To present an overview of sociolinguitics
To cover aspects of multilingualism
To raise awareness of inter-cultural communication
To relate the use of English language in the world to language planning and language policy decisions
To relate those policy decisions to implementation in the classroom

1) Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate
an understanding of the key concepts of sociolinguistics.
an understanding of the issues raised by the global spread of English and other major languages
an understanding of theories of multilingualism
familiarity with the ongoing debate around the social determinants affecting language use

2) Skills and other attributes

a) Subject specific practical skills
On completion of the course, students will be able to
critically review how social determinants of language use relate to classroom practice
demonstrate an awareness of theories and processes of inter-cultural communication
demonstrate understanding of the implications of multilingualism for classroom practice
demonstrate familiarity with the key features of language planning and language policy that have implications for classroom practice

b) Intellectual skills
On completion of the course, students will be able to
understand the significance of language planning and policy to their cassroom practice
relate the position of a given piece of research to wider developments in the debate surrounding the social determinants of language use

c) Transferrable/key skills
On completion of the course, students will be able to
employ standard conventions for referencing and bibliography consistently whilst avoiding plagiarism
carry out a small scale survey related to language in use in a particular context
prepare a case study of the role of English Language in a chosen country, relating social practice to classroom teaching
analyse the language learning implications of a language policy

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.