TEACHING YOUNG LEARNERS - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module provides a practical introduction to teaching ESOL to young learners. Starting from a discussion of the nature of child development, it will cover theoretical and practical issues involved in the design, delivery and assessment of curricula, course materials and tasks for use with young learners.  

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

DAMPIER Wilma (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• An overview of the theoretical background to how children develop and learn and, more specifically, how they learn languages.


• The theory and practice of teaching oral, written and literacy skills to young learners with reference to L1 development in these areas


• The theory and practice of teaching vocabulary and grammar skills to young learners


• Theme-based learning


• Curriculum design for young learners


• Assessing young learners’ progress


• Evaluation of materials & activities for young learners

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of second language acquisition in young learners and its implications for ESOL course design, delivery and assessment in this sector.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• a 2,000 word essay


• a 15 minute presentation

• Seminar tasks


• Homework tasks


• Plan and bibliography for assignment

• Group feedback on formative tasks will be provided during the input sessions


• Individual summative feedback will be provided online via SurreyLearn

Module aims

• Provide an overview and understanding of current research, theories and methodologies surrounding the teaching of ESOL to young learners
• Enable participants to consider how these may be successfully applied in their own Young Learners’ classroom / learning environment
• Provide opportunities for participants to acquire the knowledge necessary to design, deliver and evaluate an ESOL programme for young learners
• Develop critical awareness of appropriate methods of monitoring progress

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Enable students to acquire in-depth knowledge of theoretical issues in second language teaching and learning through attendance at classes and an exploration of scholarly writing in the field;

• Enable students to deepen their knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers of English through attending classes, engaging in extensive reading and completing exercises and assignments;


• Encourage student participation and independent learning, through small group classes, reading outside contact hours and participating in seminars;


• Enable students to engage in analytical and evaluative thinking, to analyse and evaluate concepts, theories and practices associated with English language learning and teaching through attending classes, and engaging in independent study.


• Acquire in-depth knowledge of theories of second language acquisition in young learners and the design and  delivery of ESOL programmes to this demographic

• Two contact hours per week over the semester.


• Classes will include lectures and seminars;


• students are expected to engage in extensive reading of scholarly writing outside classes in order to follow lectures and participate in seminars.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ELAM019

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.