Course Objectives

Students will gain the skills, understanding and attitudes necessary for teaching English at the primary school level. They will develop the ability to convey engagement and enthusiasm for the subject, and will improve their own language skills. Students will learn to use English as a tool for learning, working and communicating, and plan lessons that will promote primary school pupils’ linguistic development and insight into the cultures of English-speaking countries. They will also learn how to foster self-confidence in the use of English under a variety of situations and circumstances. ICT will be used actively in the course, and students must possess good computer skills and be able to use them in their own teaching.

Course Description

The course is professionally oriented and will equip students with teaching competence at primary school level.

Professional and subject didactic knowledge

Language

Students will develop thorough language skills during the course, which will stimulate self-confidence and help them provide good role-models for their classes.

Upon completing the course, the students will:

• Be able to express themselves correctly and vary their written and spoken English in order to adapt the language to different situations and audiences.
• Possess a substantial vocabulary which includes words which are useful for daily interaction with children, including terms associated with school, home life, recreation and play.
• Be able to read and write phonetic transcriptions and use and teach these skills.
• Be able to use pronunciation dictionaries effectively.
• Possess clear English articulation, and be aware of essential differences between English and Norwegian pronunciation, as well as be able to correct pupils’ intonation.
• Be familiar with grammatical terminology and be able to use it to speak and write about language and texts.
• Be familiar with the aspects of grammar that might pose particular challenges for their pupils due to differences between Norwegian and English, and be able to use this understanding in their own teaching.

Literature

The curriculum in the literature consists of several joint texts and an optional section in which students may select texts.

After completing the course, students will:

• Be able to identify a wide range of English literature texts in various genres with particular emphasis on literature for children and young people.
• Know how different types of texts may be used in teaching English in primary schools to promote language learning and develop children’s joy in reading.
• Be able to prepare a variety of exercises and lessons based on texts in several genres.
• Be able to identify and analyse texts that can be used in teaching.
• Be aware of linguistic and analytical approaches to different types of texts.

Social Studies
Students will learn about culture and society in various English-speaking countries with an emphasis on the United States and Canada. It is expected that students keep themselves informed and updated through the media.

After completing the course, students will:

• Be aware of the factors that are influencing the development and spread of English as a world language today.
• Be aware of how English is used in different contexts and situations.
• Be able to speak and write about society, history and geography in English-speaking countries, with an emphasis on the United States and Canada.
• Understand and be able to convey to pupils in primary schools what the everyday life of children and adults is like in various English-speaking countries, with an emphasis on the United States and Canada.

Subject didactics and methodology

Didactic and methodological topics will be discussed as an integral part of language, literature and social studies topics.

Learning Methods

The teaching is web-based and consists mainly of lectures and group work online in real time. It is expected that students acquire the necessary literature in time for the studies and actively participate in the course. One section of the syllabus will be selected by the students, and they must therefore be prepared for a certain amount of self-study.

A study trip to an English-speaking country will be completed during the course if this is possible financially. Students who for various reasons cannot participate in the study trip, will have to write an assignment in the area of cultural studies as agreed with the teacher.

Compulsory work

The development of oral skills in English is very important, and students are therefore required to participate in at least 80% of the teaching sessions. Students who do not fulfill this requirement will in principle not receive final assessment for the course.

All the assignments must be submitted within certain deadlines unless otherwise agreed with the teacher in advance. If students need an extended deadline because of illness, they should, as a rule, submit a medical certificate.

Assessment Methods

Students will be assessed during the course of studies and receive individual feedback.

Course requirements

• Oral presentation: the students select will each select a children and young adult’s novel. Assessment: Approved / Not approved.
• Two written assignments which will be given a single grade, which will count for 40% of the final grade. Grading scale: A-F.
• A written examination in grammar and phonetics (4 hours), which counts for 60% of the final grade. Grading scale: A-F.
  

Final assessment
All compulsory assignments and tests must be completed and passed / approved before the student will receive final assessment for the course.

The student will receive one single grade which will be entered on the diploma, on a scale from A to F where A is the highest and E the lowest passing grade. For further information please refer to the Telemark University College Examination Regulations.

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