Course Objectives

The programme will provide students with:

• Knowledge of the subject and the capacity to use both written and spoken English effectively.
• The ability to serve as a good language model for their pupils
• Insight into English literature.
• Knowledge and understanding of the cultural, social, and political conditions in English-speaking countries.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning foreign languages.
• A basis for discussing the aim of teaching English in the 10-year compulsory school.
• An understanding of and proficiency in planning, executing and evaluating the teaching of English to pupils with differing abilities and backgrounds.
• A foundation for new approaches to subject-didactics and a critical evaluation of their own practice.
• A basis for further development and research activities related to the subject

Study programme - content and structure

The aim of the programme is to train English teachers for primary and lower secondary schools. Based on modern linguistics and modern teaching theory/subject didactics, we attempt to provide students with insight into both the structure of the language and how it functions and the various ways one may use this understanding when teaching English. The practical and methodical emphasis will naturally relate to the language problems one encounters in the school.

The qualifications for becoming a good English teacher include not only language skills and methodology, but also, to a high degree, insight into the literature, social conditions and cultural life of English-speaking countries, particularly the United Kingdom and the USA. The aim of the programme is to create understanding for cultural distinctions, traditions, causal relations and culturally determined norms. In addition the English subject fosters cultural understanding and contributes in this way to develop the student’s character.

The use of ICT in the 10-year compulsory school makes new demands on the teacher’s knowledge, experience and mastery of ICT-based aids, particularly in connection with their use in language-training and language processing. Therefore, students will be expected to use ICT as an element in their English-teacher education.

The programme consists of four integrated disciplines: English grammar, social studies/cultural knowledge, literature and subject didactics.

English grammar

a) Phonetics and pronunciation

The students will acquire insight into the various theoretical and practical aspects of phonetics: phonetic notation, the sounds of the language, stress, intonation and weak forms. It is also important that students are able to correct the most common errors made by Norwegian pupils. In order to do so, the English teachers themselves must possess good pronunciation. Heavy emphasis will therefore be placed on improving the students’ pronunciation through the systematic use of audio-visual aids (the language laboratory), correction and advice from the subject teacher, as well as, the students’ own efforts. The students will be able to work independently in the multimedia room. The language model used is RP-English, but students with an American background may use American English. During the study period, the students should familiarise themselves with the various forms of English.

b) Language use and grammar

The aims of this part of the programme are both practical and theoretical. The students will learn to use the English language without serious errors in a variety of situations while becoming conversant with the essential features of modern English grammar, morphology and syntax. The programme also includes elements from semantics, sociolinguistics, text linguistics, error analysis and contrastive linguistics (English and Norwegian). The main emphasis will be on practising the language structure and idiomology to improve the written and spoken language skills of the students.

CULTURAL STUDIES

Through the programme in cultural studies, students will acquire insight into and an understanding of the cultural environments in English-speaking countries, with a particular emphasis on the United Kingdom and the USA. Cultural studies comprise geographical, historical, political and social conditions, and customs and practices. The programme provides insight into questions related to the dissemination of culture, particularly with respect to multicultural societies. The programme will help students to reflect on their own culture as well as the culture of English-speaking countries. Students are recommended to keep themselves informed through English-language newspapers and periodicals (for example, on the Internet), radio and television.

LITERATURE

The literary texts are taken from modern English-language literature, with particular stress on British and American literature. The syllabus includes novels, plays, short stories, non-fictional texts and poetry. The selection also includes literature intended for children and adolescents, and the teaching will focus on how these texts may be used in schools. The literary-historical contexts, cultural background and the basic principles for literary analysis of the texts will also be emphasised.

SUBJECT DIDACTICS

The student will be expected to have some familiarity with the principles of modern foreign-language teaching and be able to consider the relationship between linguistics and language teaching. Students will also be expected to critically evaluate textbooks and other teaching aids used in Norwegian schools. Subject didactics is integrated in the teaching in various parts of the programme. Students will receive constructive evaluation from the mentor during their teaching practice.

Learning Methods

The programme is built on the principle of the students’ interest for the subject and their cooperation regarding learning methods, which places a demand on students attending lectures and being properly prepared. The teaching is organised, in part, as lectures and group work, and partly as seminar exercises. A high degree of initiative and personal effort is essential if students are to do well in the subject. An obligatory study trip to London or Washington DC (price: about NOK 7500) is part of the programme. The study trip provides background for topics in cultural studies, literature and methodology, as well as providing practice in spoken English. Students must submit a teaching plan based on the study trip. The oral examination may include topics which the students have worked with on the study trip. Students may be excused from participating in the study trip if they have legitimate reasons.

Assessment Methods

The assessment is divided into two main parts: The ongoing assessment and the final assessment. The former counts for 40% of the final grade, and the latter for 60%.

Ongoing assessment

At the end of the autumn semester, a 5-hour examination will be given. The examination covers both the language, and the literary and cultural knowledge components. This counts for 20% of the final grade. In addition, students must fulfil the following requirements during the academic year:

1. At least one essay/assignment in language and one in literary/cultural studies, which must be submitted before April 15th. Assessment: Graded from A-F. Together, these essays count for 20% of the final grade.

2. A teaching plan which has London or Washington DC as its theme. Submission date determined by subject teacher. Assessment: Pass/Fail

3. A presentation of a children’s book, novel for youth or an Easy Reader. Evaluation: Pass/Fail.

Items 2 and 3 must have received a passing grade before the student may take the final examination.

Final assessment

This consists of two written, 5-hour examinations, each of which counts for 20% of the final grade, and an oral examination which counts for 20%.

Final examination I: language

Final examination II: literature/cultural studies (The students are allowed to use approved English-English dictionaries in the examination).

Subject didactics may constitute a portion of the examinations I and/or II.

The oral examination includes:

• The syllabus in literature and cultural studies and;
• Reading from and discussion of an unfamiliar prose text (such as an excerpt from an English newspaper). In addition, the students may be questioned about work they have submitted or the topics from their book presentation.

A graded mark will be given on the school certificate, ranging from A to F, where A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade. Both final examinations must receive passing grades in order for the student to receive a final passing grade. Please refer to the Examination Regulation for Telemark University College.

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