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This course is to explore the nature of language and its relationship to societies. Investigations into some of the ways in which language is actually used in context in different cultures are explored. Issues such as dialect, variety, pidgin, code-switching, and identity are investigated. The emphasis is on understanding and describing how people actually make use of the language and how this impacts on communication and miscommunication. Some of the theoretical and practical issues in the investigation of authentic language use are tackled. The practical implications for teachers and language curriculum developers are also examined.

This course is an additional support to improve pre-service teachers’ employment of materials in their teaching practice. The course centralizes on the role of materials within the English language training curriculum and how to deal with them. It primarily looks at the evaluation, adaptation, and development of materials for teaching and learning purposes. Specific pieces of materials and their usages in particular settings are analyzed and discussed. Learners’ experience from the teaching practicum periods is synthesized for critical reflections. The course fosters learners’ capability of using materials to facilitate their students’ learning quality and motivation.

Teaching practicum is an integral component of teacher education. This course provides the final year students with opportunities to make class observations and to practice teaching English as a Foreign Language in a real-life classroom. It is expected that student teachers are able to integrate theory and practice of teaching and learning English as a Foreign Language and their links. Through supervised teaching practice, student teachers will gain insight into the classroom teaching and learning, develop a range of teaching skills and understandings necessary to design lesson plans, conduct micro-teaching, actually deliver lessons as well as successful classroom management. Student teachers also have further ESP teaching practice.

This course is designed to provide fourth-year TESOL students with professional experiences in real