Teaching English as a Foreign Language
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce the main principles related to the acquisition of a second/foreign language and analyze the possible implications of these principles for second language teaching. The examples provided will focus on the processes involved in the acquisition and use of English as an L2, and on the teaching options that research has identified as effective for acquisition.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will demonstrate a clear understanding of: - constructs related to second language acquisition principles (input, output, interaction, implicit and explicit knowledge, feedback, etc.); - factors that influence second language acquisition (interlinguistic influence, attention, type of learning context, etc.); - teaching techniques aimed at enhancing the acquisition of specific features of a second language (processing instruction, focus on form, input and output based techniques, task-based options, etc.); By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze (with the support of questions): - samples of learner interlanguage; - transcripts of teacher-learner interaction in instructed contexts; - short video recordings of teaching sequences; - teaching options implemented in teaching materials.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of the teaching activities for the academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Updates and teaching materials will be available on the course website (Ariel Platform) https://ariel.unimi.it/ Please, check the website regularly.
Updates and teaching materials will be available on the course website (Ariel Platform) https://ariel.unimi.it/ Please, check the website regularly.
Course syllabus
1.Types of language input in SLA. The Input Hypothesis. Teaching techniques that facilitate comprehension.
2. Input processing in SLA. How learners get linguistic data from the input. Teaching techniques that help learners optimize their processing strategies.
3. The form, meaning and use dimensions of lexicogrammar. Psycholinguistic processes and teaching techniques that facilitate the acquisition of each linguistic dimension.
4. Interaction and corrective feedback in SLA. The Interaction Hypothesis: interactionist and sociocultural perspectives. Noticing. Corrective feedback strategies and Form focused instruction. Scaffolding.
5. Implicit and explicit knowledge in SLA. Interface positions. Techniques and tasks for the development of implicit and explicit knowledge of lexicogrammatical features.
6. Levels of vocabulary knowledge and implicit learning.
7. Output production in SLA. The Output Hypothesis. Output features (accuracy, complexity, fluency). Task options aimed at developing different features of output production. Collaborative dialogue in production tasks.
2. Input processing in SLA. How learners get linguistic data from the input. Teaching techniques that help learners optimize their processing strategies.
3. The form, meaning and use dimensions of lexicogrammar. Psycholinguistic processes and teaching techniques that facilitate the acquisition of each linguistic dimension.
4. Interaction and corrective feedback in SLA. The Interaction Hypothesis: interactionist and sociocultural perspectives. Noticing. Corrective feedback strategies and Form focused instruction. Scaffolding.
5. Implicit and explicit knowledge in SLA. Interface positions. Techniques and tasks for the development of implicit and explicit knowledge of lexicogrammatical features.
6. Levels of vocabulary knowledge and implicit learning.
7. Output production in SLA. The Output Hypothesis. Output features (accuracy, complexity, fluency). Task options aimed at developing different features of output production. Collaborative dialogue in production tasks.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is taught entirely in English. The teaching materials and the reading list for the exam require a C1 English level. The course of Methodology of second language teaching (Metodologia e didattica delle lingue seconde) can be introductory and complementary to the course.
Teaching methods
The course aims to combine theory and practice. A variety of methods will be used: short lectures, tasks, guided observation of videorecorded English lessons featuring specific teaching techniques, and material evaluation and implementation.
Teaching Resources
Part A
-Nava, A. & L. Pedrazzini (2018). Second Language Acquisition in Action. Principles from Practice. London: Bloomsbury (Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6)
- Supplementary materials (lesson slides, handouts) for Part A are available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
Part B
- Nava, A. & L. Pedrazzini (2018). Second Language Acquisition in Action. Principles from Practice. London: Bloomsbury. (Chapters 1, 4).
- three articles/chapters on second language vocabulary acquisition (available on the online library resources); the titles will be specified on the course website.
- Supplementary materials (lesson slides, handouts) for Part B available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
Additional reading list for students who do not attend classes
The students who cannot attend classes regularly are requested to add the following materials:
- three articles/chapters (available on the online library resources); the titles will be specified on the course website.
- Pedrazzini L. (2016). Il lessico dell'inglese: strumenti per l'apprendimento. Roma: Carocci.
-Nava, A. & L. Pedrazzini (2018). Second Language Acquisition in Action. Principles from Practice. London: Bloomsbury (Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6)
- Supplementary materials (lesson slides, handouts) for Part A are available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
Part B
- Nava, A. & L. Pedrazzini (2018). Second Language Acquisition in Action. Principles from Practice. London: Bloomsbury. (Chapters 1, 4).
- three articles/chapters on second language vocabulary acquisition (available on the online library resources); the titles will be specified on the course website.
- Supplementary materials (lesson slides, handouts) for Part B available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
Additional reading list for students who do not attend classes
The students who cannot attend classes regularly are requested to add the following materials:
- three articles/chapters (available on the online library resources); the titles will be specified on the course website.
- Pedrazzini L. (2016). Il lessico dell'inglese: strumenti per l'apprendimento. Roma: Carocci.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two written papers, each related to parts A and B of the course. Each paper consists of two open-ended questions. Types of questions: extended definition of key constructs/concepts; description of acquisition processes/ teaching techniques/strategies; analysis of teacher-learner/ learner-learner interactions; analysis of teaching sequences; material/task evaluation/ implementation. The exam is in English and lasts two hours. Dictionaries are not allowed.
Each exam paper is assessed with a mark out of 30, which is given by the sum of the marks of each answer. The pass mark for each paper is 18/30. The final mark of the written exam is given by the average of the marks students get in each paper.
Assessment of students who do not attend classes
The students who cannot attend classes regularly are also requested to take an oral exam on the additional reading list assigned. The final mark of their exam is given by the average of the marks they get in the written and oral exams.
Students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties are requested to contact the lecturer before taking the exam.
Each exam paper is assessed with a mark out of 30, which is given by the sum of the marks of each answer. The pass mark for each paper is 18/30. The final mark of the written exam is given by the average of the marks students get in each paper.
Assessment of students who do not attend classes
The students who cannot attend classes regularly are also requested to take an oral exam on the additional reading list assigned. The final mark of their exam is given by the average of the marks they get in the written and oral exams.
Students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties are requested to contact the lecturer before taking the exam.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/02 - EDUCATIONAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/02 - EDUCATIONAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)