OVERVIEW

The course introduces the student to the Didactics of Modern Languages and provides the knowledge and skills necessary both to start working in the sector and to continue studying the discipline.

The teaching can be included in the plan for 6CFU or for 9 (see below, program and content) 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To know the main theoretical constructs second and foreign language  acquisition.
To link theories of language develoment with teaching methods
To analyse and critically use tools and technologies to support language teaching.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the fundamental themes of Language Teaching.
At the end of the course the student will have acquired both theoretical knowledge relating to foreign language learning, the description of linguistic-communicative competence and practical skills relating to the planning and implementation of didactic interventions.
Specifically, the student will be able to:
-describe the main theories of foreign language learning
- analyze the main factors that influence the learning of a foreign language
-describe the concept of Communicative Competence
- describe the Common European Framework of Reference (principles, structure, descriptors, etc.)
- compare the main teaching methods
-interpret didactic sequences identifying objectives, methods and theories of reference
-design didactic activities and sequences for the different linguistic abilities and for the different levels of the Framework
- autonomously interpret and read specialized literature (in its more general components) through the knowledge learned in teaching

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of general linguistics

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching is divided into lectures and exercises. The exercises, which aim to apply the knowledge to concrete cases, will be carried out independently and discussed during the lessons or carried out during the lessons themselves.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics

General part (for 6 credits)

LS / 2 learning theories
Interlanguag and factors influencing the learning of LS / 2
Communicative Competence, Common European Framework and Communicative Approach
Notional-functional syllabus
Language and teaching skills
Learning unit
Teaching methods (task, CLIL, Total Physical Response and Lexical Approach)
Language Technologies and Didactics

In-depth study of written production (for 9 credits)

Approaches to didactics of written production
Written production task
Educational materials
Evaluation of the written production

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Baldi B. e Savoia L. (2018), Linguistica per insegnare, Zanichelli
2. Beacco J.C. (2018), L'approccio per competenze nell'insegnamento delle lingue, Erickson
3. Materials and slides distributed in class

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONE TORSANI (President)

CATERINA BRAGHIN

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Regular

Class schedule

TEACHING LANGUAGES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is written and will be held on Aulaweb.
The test is divided into:
Starts from 6CFU (for all)
-12 multiple choice questions (4 answers, one correct)
-5 open questions
Starts from 3CFU (for those who have the 9CFU course)
-6 multiple choice questions (4 answers, one correct)
-2 open questions

NB. Exam methods may vary according to the University regulations.
The details of the different tests (as well as sample questions) will be published on the Aulaweb page of the course

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Multiple choice questions test knowledge of the concepts

The open questions require the candidate to argue, evaluate or plan didactic interventions (see training objectives)

For example, the candidate may be asked to design a lesson for a specific language skill held for a high level of the CEFR (see learning objectives "to carry out teaching activities and sequences ..."), or the candidate may be asked to illustrate the difference between two teaching methods by evaluating their pros and cons (see training objectives "compare the main teaching methods ...")

Open questions are rated on a holistic scale from 0 to 4 which takes into account the following criteria:

• execution of the required task (for example if the question asks to "illustrate and exemplify" a concept, it is necessary to explain it and provide examples to support it)
• completeness and correctness of the information
• quality of the language and organization of the text
• terminology

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

More details about the program and exam methods will be made available on the Aulaweb page of the course

Students with learning disorders, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and exam methods that, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account the learning methods individuals and provide suitable compensatory instruments.