English Language Teaching Methodology
Bachelor's Level
Course Requirements
Attendance
It is essential that you attend all the Methodology classes to complete the course successfully.
Self-study hours
In addition to attending regular face-to-face classes, you are expected to study in your own time for an absolute minimum of 12 hours per course unit. Your teacher will initially offer you guidance on which topic areas you can deal with autonomously.
Self-study hours cover the time necessary for doing the following:
-
Pre-session reading (specified in each unit)
-
Follow-up reading (specified in each unit)
-
Completing module assignments (including portfolios). You are given grades according to the detailed criteria in the assessment specifications for each module in the course.
-
Processing observation data (to be specified in observation tasks for the school experience)
-
Planning lessons
-
Keeping a reflective journal.
Class participation
You are expected to participate fully in Methodology classes because professional learning is an active process.
Assessment
Assessment in the Methodology course consists of two main components:
-
continuous assessment
-
final assessment
Continuous assessment
Continuous assessment is carried out by the methodology teacher during each module and is both progress- and achievement-focussed. Its main aim is to evaluate how successfully you achieved the learning outcomes for the module. You complete assignments (including portfolios) for which you are given grades according to the detailed criteria in the assessment specifications for each module in the Curriculum. In the Curriculum, the portfolio is defined as a collection of assignments developed in or out of class and documents that you select and collect to show growth and achievement over time.
Final assessment
Final assessment is carried out at the end of the methodology course. It is aimed at evaluating how successfully you achieved the learning outcomes for the whole Curriculum as detailed in the Profile of a Newly-Qualified English Teacher. This assessment consists of the following components:
-
average score achieved in all module assessments (30%)
-
observed teaching (40%)
-
qualification paper (30%).
Each component is assessed separately according to different criteria. To pass the Methodology course, you must be successful in all of the three components.
Module assignments
There is a wide range of assignment types in the Curriculum. These assignments are intended as learning experiences as well as ways of assessment. Assignment types include:
-
essay
-
reflective writing
-
report
-
presentation
-
quiz
-
lesson plan
-
case study
-
materials and test design
-
professional development plan
-
portfolio.
Assessment criteria vary according to assignment types. Your methodology teacher will give you feedback on these assignments. At the end of the course, all the scores for module assignments are averaged to yield a final grade.
Meeting deadlines
Meeting the deadline is one of the assessment criteria for most assignments. Your teacher will give you deadlines for your assignments. You will lose marks if you miss the deadline.
Self-assessment
In addition to assessment by your teachers you will be expected to assess your own progress at the end of each unit. Self-assessment is an integral tool in the process of developing your autonomous learning skills.
Observed teaching
Observed Teaching is assessed in Semester 8. Grades are distributed between the portfolio (40%) and observed lessons (60%).
You will be assessed on the basis of ten observed lessons. Two of these lessons are observed and assessed by your Methodology course teacher and eight by your school mentor. The Methodology course teacher will assess classes at two different levels (primary and secondary).
Qualification paper
The paper will be based on an investigation into some aspect of your classroom experience. It demonstrates your ability to link theoretical knowledge with the practical elements of your own work during school experience. You submit the paper in English at the end of Semester 8. The paper is assessed according to the detailed criteria listed below. This accounts for 70% of the total for the qualification paper. A further 30% is allocated to the public defence of the qualification paper which is held in English.