LG566-7-SP-CO:
Principles and Practices in Language Teaching
2026/27
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
30
22 May 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module focuses on developing students’ language awareness and their ability to describe and analyse language for pedagogical purposes. It introduces key concepts and analytical tools for understanding language form, meaning, and use, and explores how these can be applied in language teaching contexts.
Students examine sounds, words, grammatical patterns, and discourse features in ways that support learner understanding, respond to learner questions about language, and inform effective teaching practice. The module emphasises pedagogical relevance rather than theoretical linguistics and supports students in analysing learner language and common error patterns across a range of languages and learning contexts.
The aims of this module are:
- To develop students’ language awareness for pedagogical purposes
- To introduce tools for describing language form, meaning, and use in teaching contexts
- To enable students to analyse learner language and error patterns
- To support informed responses to learner questions about language
- To apply language description to principled teaching practice
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate pedagogically informed understanding of key features of language form, meaning, and use
- Analyse sounds, words, and grammatical patterns relevant to language teaching
- Identify and explain common learner language patterns and errors
- Apply language description to classroom explanations and teaching decisions
- Use language awareness to inform reflective and evidence-informed teaching practice
Syllabus information
Indicative topics include:
- Language awareness and pedagogical language description
- Language form, meaning, and use in teaching
- Sounds and pronunciation for language teaching
- Words, vocabulary, and meaning in language learning
- Grammatical patterns and sentence structure for pedagogical analysis
- Analysing learner language and error patterns
- Responding to learner questions about language
- Using language description to inform teaching practice
This module is delivered primarily through asynchronous online learning organised on a weekly basis. Students engage with pre-recorded lectures, guided readings, and structured learning activities that support the progressive development of knowledge and understanding. Weekly moderated online discussions encourage engagement with key concepts and provide opportunities to apply theoretical perspectives to a range of language education contexts.
Three scheduled two-hour synchronous sessions provide opportunities for academic interaction, clarification of key concepts, and collaborative discussion with peers and teaching staff. Two optional online drop-in sessions offer additional academic guidance and support.
Teaching and learning methods are designed to be inclusive and accessible. Learning materials are provided in accessible digital formats where possible (for example captioned recordings and screen-reader-friendly documents), and the asynchronous structure supports flexible participation for students studying in different professional and geographical contexts. Activities do not assume prior teaching experience and are suitable for students from diverse educational and professional backgrounds.
Students are encouraged to discuss any access requirements with the module convenor, and reasonable adjustments will be made in line with university policy.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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