Module Directory

This module focuses on the principled design, adaptation, and evaluation of language teaching materials for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Drawing on research into language skills development, the module explores how pedagogical principles, learner needs, and contextual constraints inform effective materials and tasks.

Students engage in hands-on materials development and critically reflect on how materials support language form, meaning, and use. As part of the module, students participate in an intensive two-week teaching practice period featuring micro-teaching, collaborative activities, and structured peer feedback. This experience enables students to trial and refine materials while strengthening the connection between theoretical understanding and applied pedagogical practice.

The aims of this module are:

• To develop students’ ability to design language teaching materials informed by pedagogical principles


• To enable critical evaluation and adaptation of materials for teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking


• To support inclusive, ethical, and context-sensitive approaches to materials development


• To provide opportunities for reflective implementation and peer feedback on teaching materials

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Design language teaching materials and tasks informed by research on language skills development


2. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of teaching materials in relation to learner needs and learning goals


3. Apply inclusive and ethical principles to materials design and adaptation


4. Reflect on the implementation of materials and learner engagement using peer and self-evaluation

Syllabus Information

Indicative topics include:

• Principles of materials design for language teaching


• Language form, meaning, and use in materials for reading, writing, listening, and speaking


• Designing tasks and activities for language skills development


• Adapting and evaluating coursebooks and digital materials


• Inclusive and ethical materials development


• Peer teaching, trialling, and evaluation of materials (practicum)

This module is delivered primarily through asynchronous online learning organised on a weekly basis. Students engage with pre-recorded lectures, guided readings, and structured design tasks 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 materials design in a range of language education contexts.

Three scheduled two-hour synchronous online sessions provide opportunities for academic interaction, discussion of key concepts, and collaborative evaluation of materials developed during the module. Two optional online drop-in sessions offer additional academic guidance and support.

The module includes a mandatory two-week on-campus learning component that all students are required to attend. During this period, students participate in lesson planning, peer teaching, materials trialling, and collaborative reflection. This intensive practice-based element forms an integral part of the module and enables students to implement and evaluate the teaching materials they have developed, strengthening the connection between theoretical understanding and pedagogical practice.

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). 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.