Grammar and Vocabulary for TESOL

Language is infinitely creative, yet governed by a set of rules in all aspects of language - lexical, morphological, syntactical, and phonological, and their associated structures and functions. This unit has a twofold purpose of raising awareness of the pedagogical applications of systematic linguistic knowledge and applying this knowledge to real-world language contexts. The unit will combine a focus on recent theoretical approaches to grammar with practical approaches to teaching and learning in an authentic, action-based and interaction-rich setting.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Evaluate and critique contemporary research on teacher language awareness and place of grammar in language classroom and curriculum;
2. Engage with different conceptualisations of grammar and vocabulary and apply these to a variety of teaching contexts and through a wide range of up-to-date teaching and learning resources (both printed and digital);
3. Survey and linguistically analyse a range of written and spoken texts applicable to language at different levels of proficiency and according to the linguistic, socio-cultural needs of EAL/D learners;
4. Explore and apply key concepts and appropriate terminology in the analysis and description of grammar and vocabulary for teaching purposes and communicate this in an academic context.