EN-158 English Language and Didactics 1 (Spring 2027)

Knowledge: The student

• has knowledge about how children learn languages in general and specifically in grades 5-10
• has knowledge about multilingualism as a resource in the classroom
• has an understanding of the basic skills and their impact on learning and development as well as of processes promoting basic skills in English in grades 5-10
• has knowledge about the national curriculum, national tests, mapping tools and teaching material for English as a school subject
• has knowledge of the system in English, vocabulary, and the grammatical structure of the language, including differences and similarities between English and other languages
• is familiar with research and development work relevant to English as a subject in grades 5-10
• has knowledge of norms for academic text production and knowledge of how to read a research article

Skills: The student

• is able to use English independently and with confidence, both orally and in writing
• is able to plan and lead varied and differentiated learning activities, including digital tasks, that promote in-depth learning and the development of basic skills
• is able to use formative assessment as a means to supervise pupils who are learning English
• is able to use digital learning platforms to promote language learning and subject teaching in grades 5-10

General competence: The student

• is able to convey relevant subject material and communicate in English in a way that is adapted to grades 5-10
• is able to reflect on his/her own learning in the practice period, with regards to subject and didactics as well as in the light of basic ethical values and the school’s responsibility for the personal development of children and youth
• is able to work individually and in teams when planning for learning and development in grades 5-10
• is able to maintain and develop his/her own linguistic and didactic competence, including production of academic/didactic subject related texts

Students will study different theories of language learning and the development of English as a school subject. Basic structures of the English language will be studied and compared with structures in the Norwegian language so that students can teach the subject. The course also comprises teaching and didactic issues. The purpose is to develop an understanding of the English language system and provide a practical foundation for the further development of the student’s own English language proficiency in order to be able to teach the subject in accordance with the national curriculum for primary and secondary schools.

The teaching emphasizes preparation for the practice period as well as making, implementing and assessing teaching plans.

The teaching is set up with a variety of teaching forms in larger and smaller groups of students. Emphasis is placed on student activities like groupwork, oral and written tasks, and digital work. There is a 70% mandatory attendance requirement. A practice period of 20 days is included for students in the teacher education aimed at primary school.

The workload is estimated to about 400 hours.