Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module LANG41415: ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION

Department: Durham Centre for Academic Development

LANG41415: ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap
Tied to Q3KE07

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • At the end of this module, students will:
  • be familiar with EFL teaching material for teaching different levels and contexts
  • have the skills to be able to evaluate the appropriateness of materials for different teaching contexts including consideration of age/level/cultural background of EFL learners
  • have the ability to adapt published materials and produce and develop their own materials based on understanding of SLA theories, ELT methodologies and principles of materials design
  • have understood reasons for adapting and supplementing materials according to the specific needs of the teaching context

Content

  • this module is focussed on developing a theoretical and practical approach to materials design, evaluation and development.
  • it involves students developing a practical understanding of the principles and procedures of the design, adaptation and evaluation of language teaching materials
  • through familiarisation with current approaches and methods in coursebook and materials design students will work with and adapt a range of published teaching materials for their own specific teaching context

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • full understanding of principles of material development and evaluation
  • understanding of current approaches to the design and evaluation of materials for a range of contexts
Subject-specific Skills:
  • ability to critically evaluate a range of ELT learning materials
  • ability to select, adapt and develop a range of learning materials for specific teaching contexts
  • ability to provide a rationale for the evaluation and development or adaptation of learning materials drawing on relevant literature
Key Skills:
  • ability to connect theoretical issues to an applied context
  • ability to read and understand primary and secondary texts
  • ability to draw on existing knowledge of second language teaching theory and methodology

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • pre-recorded or live lectures will provide a background or review of current approaches and issues relevant to materials design and evaluation
  • this input will provide the basis for the practice of evaluating and adapting current ELT materials in seminar workshop sessions

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshop/ lecture 10 Weekly (5 in term 1, 5 in term 2) 2 hours 20
Workshop/ seminar 6 Weeks 12, 13, 21, 28, 35 2 10
Preparation and Reading 120
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Materials adaptation and Rationale Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Adaptation and evaluation of materials and rationale for choices 3000 words 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Drafts of all sections with a peer evaluation


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University