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Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching 

Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching
 at 
University of Southampton 
Overview

An introduction to some key concepts in the effective teaching and learning of languages

Duration

4 weeks

Mode of learning

Online

Official Website

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Course Level

UG Certificate

Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching
 at 
University of Southampton 
Highlights

  • Earn a certification after completion
  • Learn from expert faculty
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Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching
 at 
University of Southampton 
Course details

Skills you will learn
Who should do this course?
  • Graduates with an interest in the development of languages and language teaching. It will give you a taste of postgraduate study in the field of English language teaching
What are the course deliverables?
  • Reflect on the nature of language acquisition, and your personal place in that spectrum
  • Identify ideas around the notion of ‘meaning’ in second language acquisition, and how we convey/appreciate meaning
  • Explore aspects of what is hard and what is easy in second language acquisition
  • Discuss the nature and diversity of language learning classrooms and how this might impact on the teaching and learning of languages
  • Develop an awareness of some current approaches to language teaching in the classroom
More about this course
  • What is language? How do we learn meaning in a new language? What is easy and hard about learning another language? And what is the best way to teach other languages?
  • This free online course suggests some answers to these questions. It has been developed by the University of Southampton and the British Council, and draws on their work together producing a joint online MA in English Language Teaching

Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching
 at 
University of Southampton 
Curriculum

The nature of language and language learning including discussion of what is hard and easy in second language acquisition

Language teaching in the classroom including consideration of classrooms as communities of practice and theories about effective classroom pedagogy

Consideration of two case studies in current teaching practice: task-based language teaching (TBLT) and content and language integrated learning (CLIL)

Technology in language learning and teaching and the changing role of teacher and learner

Online versus face-to-face language learning

The use of English as a global language or lingua franca

The historical spread of English and implications for language policy and teaching

Definitions of English as a lingua franca (ELF), the scale of ELF use and its pros and cons

Exploration of the work of Global Englishes researchers and invitation to join in with a research project

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Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching
 at 
University of Southampton 
Faculty details

Sara Pierson
I work for the British Council supporting teachers to develop their skills in English language teaching globally.
Darren Paffey
Lead Educator on the Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching course. Lecturer in Spanish and Linguistics, based in Modern Languages at the University of Southampton.

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Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching
 at 
University of Southampton 
Contact Information

Address

University Road
Southampton SO17 1BJ

Southampton ( Hampshire)

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