EN-155 English Language and Didactics 1 (Autumn 2021)

Knowledge: The student

• has knowledge about how children learn languages, focusing on initial training
• has knowledge about multilingualism as a resource in the classroom
• has knowledge about basic skills, learning and development, and processes that enhance these in English
• has knowledge about the National Curriculum, national tests, mapping tools and teaching aids for English as a subject
• has knowledge about acquisition of words and structures in English from sound- to text level
• is familiar with research and development work that is relevant to English as a subject at level 1-7

Skills: The student

• is able to use English orally and in writing confidently and independently
• is able to plan and lead varied and differentiated learning activities, including digital, that enhance in-depth leaning and development of the basic skills at level 1-7
• is able to use formative assessment to supervise pupils learning English
• is able to utilize a digital learning platform to enhance language learning and presentation of subject matter at level 1-7

General competence: The student

• is able to present relevant subject matter and communicate in English in a way that is adapted to pupils at level 1-7
• is able to reflect on his/her own learning and teaching practice in the light of basic ethical values and the school’s responsibility for the personal growth of children and youth
• is able to work independently and with colleagues to plan for the pupils’ learning and development
• is able to maintain and develop his/her own linguistic and didactic competence

The students will be introduced to various theories of language learning and the didactical development of English as a subject. Basic structures in the English language will be studied and compared to structures in the Norwegian language to enable the students to teach the subject. The course also comprises teaching and didactic issues. The aim is to give an understanding of the English language system and a practical foundation for the development of the student’s own language skills in English, aiming at teaching children in accordance with the National Curriculum for primary school.

The subject in the practice period.

The teaching focuses on preparation for the practice period, planning and implementing teaching designs, as well as an assessment of the teaching after it has been carried through.

The course is designed with various forms of teaching in student groups of varying size. Student-active forms of working are emphasised, such as group sessions, oral work and written assignments, as well as methods involving digital tools. There is a 70 % mandatory attendance requirement. For students in the teacher education, there is a practice period of 15 days.

The workload is estimated to approximately 400 hours.