This subject is designed to provide students working towards an initial teacher qualification with an introduction to the theory and practice of language teaching. It includes an overview of past and present trends in methodology, syllabus design and assessment. Students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of those strategies that promote purposeful and communicative language use in relation to specific contexts for language teaching and learning. Features of good lesson and task design and the impact of learner-centred theories of teaching and learning on recent developments in the field are examined.
Students are expected to complete two major assessment tasks that include an essay based on the course objectives and a portfolio presentation of lesson plans, resources and extended communicative tasks.