Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate has:

• Thorough knowledge of multilingualism as a phenomenon, from linguistic, sociolinguistic, language-learning and didactic perspectives
• Thorough knowledge of multilingual development, skills and practice
• Knowledge of assessing multilingual competence
• Thorough knowledge of various training models and didactic approaches in language teaching for second and foreign language learners
• Insight into legislation and policy documents which regulate the education of multilingual pupils

Skills

The candidate can:

• Apply relevant theory and current research in teaching
• Plan and implement adapted and varied teaching plans for various pupils and pupil groups
• Assess pupils’ multilingual skills and use this as the basis for teaching and supervision

General competence

The candidate has / can:

• Discuss and evaluate didactic issues related to multilingualism in schools
• Reflect on their own practices and relate this to the relevant theory
• Identify professional and ethical issues in teaching
• Based on their own teaching practice, contribute to new scientific knowledge in their field
• Disseminate knowledge of multilingualism to different target groups, including colleagues and parents

Course Description

Multilingualism is a growing phenomenon in Norwegian schools. The number of multilingual pupils is increasing, as is the number of pupils who are receiving instruction in several languages. Currently there are approximately 40,000 pupils in primary and lower secondary school in Norway who are speakers of minority languages and whose mother tongue is not Norwegian. All pupils start learning English in 1st grade, and in several cities pupils start to study an additional foreign language in 5th, 6th or 7th grade. Most pupils receive instruction in an additional foreign language from 8th grade. All these children have, or will develop, multilingual competence and accordingly can be described as multilingual.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Seminars, lectures, tutoring, independent study.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment: Two coursework requirements.

Final assessment: Home exam and an oral exam.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean