06490 - Foreign Language Teaching

Course contents

The course consists of two modules

 

Module 1 (dot. Piera Margutti)

The aim of the first module is to guide students to understand the L2 learning process and its fundamental features. The main topics are factors, variables, and processes that characterize the teaching and learning of a second language, drawing from most recent findings in applied linguistics and second language research. These topics can be arranged according to three main areas or domains:

-        Describing  the structural features concerning the main social settings in which second language  teaching/learning takes place;

-        Describing the ways in which language works and the explanatory theories about language learning;

-        Teaching methods and practices

 

Module 2 (dot. Cristiana Cervini)

The second module, connected with the epistemological theories dealt in the first one, focuses on the varieties of practice of the nowadays foreign language teachers working within multi-plurilingual contexts, on-site or on-line, using ICTs in classroom or in e-learning and directing students towards lifelong learning approaches.

This module will follow three main directions:

-        analysis of new learning environments for foreign language learning and teaching deepening the concept of autonomy, metacognition and interaction in the self-access, self-learning, and blended learning domains;

-        contributions of the corpus linguistics theories and practices in learning and teaching a foreign language: creating and using valid corpora, inventing useful activities including translation exercises;

-        institutional and theoretical frame of the intercomprehension projects as one of the pluralistic approaches in foreign language learning.

Some exercises will push students to put in practice creatively what they have studied in theory.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliographic references:

Module 1

 

De Marco A. (a cura di), Manuale di glottodidattica, Roma, Carocci, 2000 (integrale)

Bettoni, C. Imparare un'altra lingua, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2001 (integrale)

Dulay, H., Burt M, Krashen, S. La seconda lingua, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (ed.it.)

Selection: cap. 2, 3, 4, e 5.

Corder, P. Introduzione alla linguistica applicata, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1983 (ed.it.)

            Selection: Introduzione, cap. 2, 9, 10, 11 e 12.

Rizzardi, M.C.,  Barsi, M., Metodi in classe per insegnare la lingua straniera, Milano, LED Edizioni Universitarie di lettere Economia, Diritto, 2005.

         Selezione: cap. 1, 4, 7, 10, 11.

 

Margutti P. Comunicare in una lingua straniera, Roma, Carocci, 2004

AA.VV. Quadro comune europeo di riferimento per le lingue: apprendimento, insegnamento valutazione, Milano RCS libri, La Nuova Italia, Oxford, 2002

 

All books indicated above are available in the university libraries

 

Students will receive instructions about the selected chapters in the bibliographical references and about some additional suggested readings during the course. The students who will not attend lectures will access the information on the course through dot. Piera Margutti's homepage (link “Contenuti utili”).

 

At the copy shop Écrire, right in front of the department (Via Cartolerie, 5), copies of all the materials that are not available in the library, as well as the module syllabus, are accessible.

 

Module 2

 

The bibliography for the second module is composed of a selection of articles and papers.

Please go to Cristiana Cervini's home page and read the section “Contenuti Utili”.  

Teaching methods

The course includes frontal lectures, some workshops, seminars and practical activities in the computer room. 

Assessment methods

Assessment

The examination consists of two parts: written + oral examinations, according to the following procedure:

 

Things students need to do:

-        First module: students are required to read all the basic bibliographic references provided;

-        Second module: students are required to read all the bibliographic references provided, and to do some of the assignments indicated during the module.

 

Written Examination

Attending students

 

In order to have right to sit for the oral examination, students must choose between the following two options, according to his/her learning styles and preference:

-        Answers to 4 questions (4-5 A4). Students must choose the questions from a list, available from dot. Margutti's homepage. Questions will concern the main topics of the course. Students can choose those questions that meet their interest.

or

-        Short essay focusing on a specific topic, including a short bibliographical section. Students can choose the topic that meets their interest and their previous teaching experience.

 

The written texts will be object of the oral examination, as well as the other themes of the course

 

 

Deadline for the written texts: students are required to send the written text to both teachers at least 1 week before the chosen date for the oral examination. The deadline is peremptory and compelling. 

 

Not-attending students

The only option for these students is the short written essay, which they must send to the teachers in respect to the deadline indicated (1 week).

 

Evaluation of the written examination:

Answers:

Terminological accuracy and relevance, ability to synthesize, argumentation

Short essay:

Creativity and originality, ability to elaborate and delve into a subject, relevance of bibliographical references

 

Oral examination:

With the written texts, students have access to the oral examination that will complete the exam

Teaching tools

Power points, audio-video recordings, workshops in the labs.

Office hours

See the website of Piera Margutti

See the website of Cristiana Cervini