English Didactics
The course will provide a basis for professional methodological competence in relation to English education, thus enabling teacher students to plan, justify, implement, assess and further develop English teaching in grades 8-13 and according to the stated curriculum aims of the Norwegian Ministry of Education (Udir). There are seven central curricular focus areas for the subject of English, which are language learning, oral communication, written communication, culture competence, digital competence, trade/international-English learning, and differentiated English learning for varied student needs.
This course has two central purposes:
1) to present theoretical modelling of teaching and activities directed specifically to the principles and methods of teaching the four skills as they are relevant to grades 8-13, and
2) to provide practical instruction on lesson planning and evaluation strategies adapted primarily to classroom use for grades 8-13.
The academic content is situated within current pedagogical and social understandings of the subject of English as both a tool for communication and a language of literature, culture and formation. A selection of youth and contemporary literature in various genres is also used as a starting point for work with a variety of teaching methods and as inspiration for relevant discussions.
Knowledge The students should have knowledge of:
- the relevant parts of the national curriculum, and their importance for planning of suitable teaching
- a selection of pedagogical theories used as reference for the course, and also familiarity with the theoretical prerequisites for planning of a good learning sequence leading into national standardized exams in English
- relevant digital learning tools and strategies for English instruction for grades 8-13, as well as sensitivity toward appropriate differential learning
- English-language literature of various relevant genres, literary conventions, and norms for academic writing and use of sources that are relevant for English instruction for grades 8-13.
Skills The candidate will be able to:
- plan, justify, carry out, evaluate and further develop teaching sequences in English, including assessment of pupils with or without formal grading, following the intentions of the national curriculum and
- demonstrate a variety of learning activities in English, and model written and oral competence in English in a positive and secure fashion
- show flexibility in the planning of learning sequences and adaptability in planning in order to adapt learning contexts to pupils with differing needs
- use and critically evaluate a variety of educational resources, also digital, and thus facilitate work with English language texts in various genres relevant for grades 8-13.
General competence Upon successful completion of this course the student will have general competence in:
- conveying relevant academic material within a practical and ethically responsible framework
- developing English language learning competence, communicative competence, cultural competence, and literary competence in both an independent and team-oriented mode
- analysing, evaluating, and reflecting over one’s own learning, and in connection with the 8-13 students’ subject learning and the Norwegian national curriculum.
The students will be given a detailed and thematically organized teaching plan for the semester. It is expected that all texts are read prior to teaching, and the students attend well prepared for active participation in discussions and further work within a given topic.
The students will during their studies be assured guidance in their progression. A starting point for such guidance may be e.g. the use of a log, and assignments and/or oral presentations that comprise the portfolio submitted at the end of the semster.
Assignments that are not submitted by their given deadline, will neither be corrected nor feedback given. The students are responsible for keeping themselves updated on announcements and information including teaching notes and hand-outs.
Face-to-face teaching and practical work requires active student participation. Self-study and, as applicable, group work between classes is expected.
In addition to obligatory attendance for teaching, the course demands that the students themselves acquire theoretical knowledge from the course reading material and other relevant sources, and it is furthermore expected that active participation in any assigned activities is a requirement for portfolio submissions.
- Compulsory participation (OD): minimum 85% attendance, graded approved/not approved
- Must be approved before the examination
- Portfolio of assignments (MA) with advising, consisting of one essay, one lesson plan, one oral presentation draft, one scheme of work, one assessment, and one individualeducational plan, counts 0/100 of the total grade (passed/not passed)
- MU: Final oral examination, counts 100/100 of the total grade, graded A-F
Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:
ENG2030 - English Education 8-13 - 7.5 credits