Course syllabus - English for Teachers in Secondary and Upper Secondary School: Social and Regional Variation

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire more in-depth knowledge of and enhanced skills in English linguistics, with a focus on social and regional variation, while taking into account didactic-pedagogical implications and applications. An additional objective is continued practice in academic writing.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to

1. define and apply key concepts regarding social and regional variation in language
2. reflect upon the use of varieties of English in different geographical and social groups and contexts, including language teaching
3. identify the features that characterize varieties of English
4. give an account of how research is done in the area and individually carry out basic linguistic investigations in a school context
5. analyze spoken and written texts with regard to social and regional variation
6. reflect upon social and regional variation in teaching and learning contexts
7. plan teaching with respect to cultural and linguistic variation in the classroom

Course content

- English in different parts of the world
- Variation in language use between different genders, social classes and groups, with a focus on English
- Social and regional variation in English teaching and learning
- Field study

Specific requirements

210 credits from the subject teacher program for upper secondary school, including:
- 15 credits Organisation, purpose and content in education for teachers in upper secondary school,
- 7.5 credits Development and learning - teachers in secondary school,
- 7.5 credits Assessment and grading for teachers in upper secondary school,
- 7.5 credits Special needs education,
- 7.5 credits Social relations, conflict management and leadership for teachers in upper secondary school,
- 5.5 credits Research methods for teachers,
- 7,5 credits Supervised placement, part 1, for teachers in secondary and upper secondary school,
- 7.5 credits Supervised placement, part 2, for teachers in secondary and upper secondary school, and
- 54 credits English for teachers in secondary and upper secondary school.

Examination

SEM1, Seminar, 2.5 credits, preparation for and active participation in scheduled activities, including oral presentations concerning learning outcomes 1-7, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
INL1, Written assignment, 2.5 credits, investigation, including preparatory written task, oral presentation and final written report concerning learning outcomes 1-7, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
HEM1, Take-home examination, 2.5 credits, examination concerning learning outcomes 1-3 and 5, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

In connection with all forms of examination, students are expected to express themselves in correct and idiomatic English.

For a Pass with distinction (VG) on the course as a whole, the student needs to have earned that grade for a minimum of 5 credits.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Three-grade scale

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course cannot be included in a degree together with English 3 or the freestanding course Social and Regional Variation.