This course investigates research that has investigated the effects of form-focused instruction on L2 acquisition. It draws on theory and research in the field of second language acquisition and examines a number of options for conducting form-focused instruction. Students will be expected to use their knowledge of existing research to prepare a research proposal for a study using their own learners or a group of learners with whom they are familiar.

This course is intended to familiarize students with the issues and procedures involved in developing a language curriculum and to enable them to design their own curriculum for a specific group of learners.

This course takes the view that technology can be both tool and tutor in language education. The role of technology in language education is examined as an aspect of curriculum design, that is, the starting point is needs analysis and resulting curriculum, rather than technology. The course will describe the characteristics of various applications such as email, computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and webpages. It will help participants evaluate the role of information technology in language teaching and learning. Participants will explore the use of technology in different educational settings, and how to integrate it in course design. Students will be required to develop a unit of work for an ELT class, integrating technology and to prepare a research proposal to investigate an aspect of technology in language education.

The course aims to help the participants to gain the knowledge and to develop the awareness and skills required by an expert practitioner of materials development for language learning and teaching. It intends in particular to help them to become principled and effective materials evaluators, adapters, writers, users and researchers. In addition it aims to make use of materials development to deepen the participants' understanding of second language acquisition, of language use and of principled pedagogy as well as contributing to the further development of analytical, critical and creative thinking skills.
This course will examine the socio-cultural perspectives on the following:
1. how teachers learn to teach a second language
2. the nature of language
3. how second languages are taught and learned
4. social, cultural, and historical influences on the second language teaching profession
5. the spectrum and roles of second language teachers’ professional development.