Second Language Teaching
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at analyzing the processes involved in the acquisition of a second/foreign language, the main teaching methods according to a linguistic and a communicative approach, and the practical aspects related to the planning and implementation of a teaching sequence (needs analysis, syllabus design, task implementation, testing and evaluation).
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will demonstrate a clear understanding of the constructs related to: - second language acquisition processes (input, output, interaction, feedback) - the description of an L2 and the communication processes involved (language ability, communicative competence, communicative language activity, context of language use) - the planning and implementation of an L2 teaching sequence (needs analysis, language aims, language levels, learning outcomes, approach, method, syllabus, procedure, technique, task, testing, assessment). By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze (with the support of questions): - L2 learning contexts - the implementation of linguistic and communicative methods for L2 teaching - tools for the identification of L2 language needs - the implementation of techniques and tasks in L2 teaching materials - types and formats of L2 tests and evaluation methods.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
1. Second language acquisition: key constructs (input, interlanguage, error, output, etc.)
2. Language pedagogy (method, approach, procedure)
3. Linguistically-oriented methods (grammar translation, situational oral, audio-lingual)
4. Humanistic-oriented methods (Total Physical Response, Natural Approach)
5. Description of an L2 and communicative processes (language skills, communicative/ functional/ intercultural competence, communicative activities, language context)
6. Communicative-oriented methods (notional-functional, lexical approach, task-based, content-based)
7. The planning of an L2 course: learners' factors and needs
8. The planning of an L2 course: learning aims and outcomes, syllabus
9. The planning and implementation of an L2 course: tasks, techniques, materials
10. L2 testing and assessment: test types, assessment criteria and methods.
2. Language pedagogy (method, approach, procedure)
3. Linguistically-oriented methods (grammar translation, situational oral, audio-lingual)
4. Humanistic-oriented methods (Total Physical Response, Natural Approach)
5. Description of an L2 and communicative processes (language skills, communicative/ functional/ intercultural competence, communicative activities, language context)
6. Communicative-oriented methods (notional-functional, lexical approach, task-based, content-based)
7. The planning of an L2 course: learners' factors and needs
8. The planning of an L2 course: learning aims and outcomes, syllabus
9. The planning and implementation of an L2 course: tasks, techniques, materials
10. L2 testing and assessment: test types, assessment criteria and methods.
Prerequisites for admission
The course can be introductory and complementary to the courses of Teaching English/ French/ German/ Spanish as a foreign language. It is taught entirely in Italian. International students are expected to have a B2 level of proficiency in Italian. Some reading materials are in English and require a B2 level.
Teaching methods
The course aims to combine theory and practice. Different methods will be used: short lectures by the teacher and hands-on tasks for the analysis of teaching materials and planning and assessment tools. A number of lessons will be taught online (Platform Teams).
Lesson slides, handouts and additional reading texts will be available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
On the Ariel course website, a forum will be opened to provide students with the opportunity to discuss the topics covered in the course, answer example questions in preparation for the exam, share teaching experiences, and recommend useful teaching and learning resources, etc.
Lesson slides, handouts and additional reading texts will be available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
On the Ariel course website, a forum will be opened to provide students with the opportunity to discuss the topics covered in the course, answer example questions in preparation for the exam, share teaching experiences, and recommend useful teaching and learning resources, etc.
Teaching Resources
READING LIST
All reading materials are compulsory.
Module A "Metodi per l'insegnamento di una L2"
- Balboni, E.P. 2023. Le nuove sfide di Babele. Insegnare le lingue nelle società liquide. Torino: UTET Università. (Capitoli 1; 2.1-2.2; 3.1-3.3; 7).
- Lesson slides, handouts and short reading texts for Module A are available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
- Additional articles:
1. Cacchione, A. 2021. C'era una volta il metodo: vent'anni dopo. Italiano LinguaDue, v. 13, n.1.
2. Hunter D. & R. Smith. 2012. Unpackaging the past: 'CLT' through ELTJ keywords. ELT Journal, Volume 66, Issue 4, 1, pp. 430-439.
3. Ur, P. 2013. Language-teaching method revisited. ELT Journal, Volume 67, Issue 4, pp. 468-474.
Module B "La programmazione di un corso di L2"
- Balboni, E.P. 2023. Le nuove sfide di Babele. Insegnare le lingue nelle società liquide. Torino: UTET Università. (Capitoli 2.3-2.6; 3.4-3.5; 4; 5; 6; 7).
- Lesson slides, handouts and short reading texts for Module B are available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
- Additional articles:
1. Bosc, F. & F. Minuz. 2012. La lezione. Italiano LinguaDue, v. 4, n. 2.
2. Cortés Velásquez D., S. Faone & E. Nuzzo. 2017. Analizzare i manuali per l'insegnamento delle lingue: strumenti per una glottodidattica applicata, Italiano LinguaDue, v. 9, n.2.
3. Jordan, G. &H. Gray.2019. We need to talk about coursebooks. ELT Journal, Volume 73, Issue 4, pp. 438-446.
Students who are unable to attend classes regularly are required to read five supplementary articles, which can be found on the online library resources. The specific titles of these articles will be available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
All reading materials are compulsory.
Module A "Metodi per l'insegnamento di una L2"
- Balboni, E.P. 2023. Le nuove sfide di Babele. Insegnare le lingue nelle società liquide. Torino: UTET Università. (Capitoli 1; 2.1-2.2; 3.1-3.3; 7).
- Lesson slides, handouts and short reading texts for Module A are available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
- Additional articles:
1. Cacchione, A. 2021. C'era una volta il metodo: vent'anni dopo. Italiano LinguaDue, v. 13, n.1.
2. Hunter D. & R. Smith. 2012. Unpackaging the past: 'CLT' through ELTJ keywords. ELT Journal, Volume 66, Issue 4, 1, pp. 430-439.
3. Ur, P. 2013. Language-teaching method revisited. ELT Journal, Volume 67, Issue 4, pp. 468-474.
Module B "La programmazione di un corso di L2"
- Balboni, E.P. 2023. Le nuove sfide di Babele. Insegnare le lingue nelle società liquide. Torino: UTET Università. (Capitoli 2.3-2.6; 3.4-3.5; 4; 5; 6; 7).
- Lesson slides, handouts and short reading texts for Module B are available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
- Additional articles:
1. Bosc, F. & F. Minuz. 2012. La lezione. Italiano LinguaDue, v. 4, n. 2.
2. Cortés Velásquez D., S. Faone & E. Nuzzo. 2017. Analizzare i manuali per l'insegnamento delle lingue: strumenti per una glottodidattica applicata, Italiano LinguaDue, v. 9, n.2.
3. Jordan, G. &H. Gray.2019. We need to talk about coursebooks. ELT Journal, Volume 73, Issue 4, pp. 438-446.
Students who are unable to attend classes regularly are required to read five supplementary articles, which can be found on the online library resources. The specific titles of these articles will be available on the course website (Ariel Platform).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two written papers, each on the syllabus and reading list for modules A and B respectively. Each paper has two open-ended questions on these possible topics: extended definition of a key construct/concept; description of a process/ a tool/a technique/a strategy; material/task evaluation/ implementation. The exam is in Italian and lasts two hours.
Each exam paper is assessed with a mark out of 30, which is given by the sum of the marks for each question. 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.
The results of the exam will be posted on the notice board of the course website (Ariel platform). Students will be given the opportunity to see their exam papers during office hours.
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.
Each exam paper is assessed with a mark out of 30, which is given by the sum of the marks for each question. 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.
The results of the exam will be posted on the notice board of the course website (Ariel platform). Students will be given the opportunity to see their exam papers during office hours.
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.
L-LIN/02 - EDUCATIONAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pedrazzini Luciana
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)