Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge of the profession

The candidate:

• Has thorough knowledge of the language’s place, position, progression and justification in schools
• Can analyse and apply relevant research related to the instruction and teaching of the subject
• Has advanced knowledge of a wide repertoire of teaching strategies and methods in languages and teaching aids
• Can analyse academic challenges for different groups of pupils in different types of schools

Professional practice

The candidate can:

• Analyse language curricula ​​for lower and upper secondary schools and develop local plans as a basis for planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching
• Plan, implement and justify teaching the subject with and without technological aids
• Lead and motivate pupils in their academic work and create constructive and inclusive learning environments
• Use varied and appropriate teaching methods and adapt teaching that takes into account pupils’ different rates of learning progression, their interest in the subject and their abstract thinking ability
• Provide pupils with continuous and final assessment, using academic achievement criteria, and provide academic justifications for grades

Professional development

The candidate can:

• Orient himself/herself in relation to the subject literature, relate critically to it, and develop his/her own academic approach
• Further develop his/her skills through orientation in the subject literature and communicate academic issues to pupils, colleagues and parents
• Reflect on, and continuously improve, his/her professional classroom practice and improve teaching in the subject
• Contribute opinions and assessments concerning ethical aspects of the subject
• Analyse and disseminate advanced aspects of the subject and communicate this to pupils and colleagues

Course Description

The course focuses on the languages taught in Norwegian primary and secondary schools and in adult education. For English, the course concerns teaching from year level 5 in the primary school; in the other languages the course covers material beginning with year level 8 in the lower secondary. The course is part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PPU) study program.

Key questions about the importance of foreign language skills, how to learn a foreign language constitute central topics in this course.

The course will emphasise:

• Justification for teaching the subject in schools
• The distinctive character of the school subject
• History of the school subject
• Language didactics
• Literature and culture dissemination

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course includes lectures combined with seminar activities. Fronter is used to provide course information and for didactic discussions.

The attendance at a minimum of 80% of the course meetings is compulsory.

Assessment Methods

The course includes three compulsory assignments (information in the semester plan). Students must receive passing grades in these in order to pass the course.

The final grade will be based on:

Written home assignment.

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