Universitas PGRI Palembang

Graduate Program - English Education

Approaches to Language Learning and Teaching
Academic Year 2020/2021 (2)

Course Details:

Course Name : Approaches in English Learning and Teaching

Course Code : MKKE 511
Course Schedule : Saturday/08.00 – 09.40 a.m.
Instructor : Dr. Mulyadi, M.A.
0853-7815-7957
Artanti Puspita Sari, Ph.D.
0813-9204-1794

Course Description:

This course provides an overview of approaches as well as methods in language teaching

and learning. Through reading, writing, facilitations, and discussions, we examine and
discuss the following topics: 1) the historical development of approaches and methods in
English language learning and teaching, 2) twenty-first century skills in English language
learning and teaching, 3) offline, online, blended, and hybrid language teaching and
learning, 4) factors that influences second language acquisition, and 5) assessment in the
process of language learning and teaching. Using the knowledge of approaches and
methods in language teaching, we explore ways in which teachers can help students in
learning a target language through various media.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, students are expected to:

1. build a foundational understanding about the historical development of approaches and
methods in English language teaching and learning.
2. understand 21st century skills in English language teaching and learning in order to
develop their students’ critical thinking skills in learning English.
3. understand and be able to apply the knowledge of approaches and methods through
offline, online, blended and hybrid form of English language teaching.
4. understand factors which influence English language and learning process.
5. develop understanding and ability to choose the most appropriate approaches and
methods in teaching language classes based on the characteristics of each class.
6. develop understanding and ability to assess and evaluate the process and results of
English language teaching and learning process.

1
 Course Schedule

Meeting # Topic Suggested References

1 Introduction to the course:
 Syllabus and the objectives of the course

2 Introduction to approaches/methods in language Richards & Rodgers (2014);

learning and teaching: Larsen-Freeman & Anderson
 The nature of approaches and methods (2011, pp.13-24)
 Historical development in English Language
Teaching (ELT) approaches/methods
3 Reaching High Standards: https://www.teachingenglish.o
21st Century Skills in English Language Teaching rg.uk/blogs/loli-
iglesias/developing-21st-
century-skills-classroom

https://www.weforum.org/age
nda/2016/01/the-10-skills-you-
need-to-thrive-in-the-fourth-
industrial-revolution/

Trilling & Fadel (2009, pp.45-

71)
4 Innovations in Language Learning and Teaching Motteram (2013)
 Technology Innovations in language learning
and teaching
 Online, blended, and hybrid teaching and Whittaker in Tomlinson &
learning Whittaker (2013, 11-23)
5 Collaboration in the language learning process Richards & Rodgers (2014,
 Communicative language teaching pp.83-115; 244-258)
 Cooperative language Learning Larsen-Freeman & Anderson
(2011; pp.85-102)
6 Language learning through tasks and texts Richards & Rodgers (2014,
 Task-based language instruction pp.175-199; 200-214)
 Text-based language instruction Larsen-Freeman & Anderson
(2011; pp.149-164)
7 Content-based Language Learning and Teaching Richards & Rodgers (2014,
 Content-based Instruction (CBI) pp.116-138)
 Content and Language Integrated Learning Larsen-Freeman & Anderson
(CLIL) (2011; pp.131-148)
8 Mid-semester examination
9 Alternative approaches: Richards & Rodgers (2014,
 An overview of alternative approaches pp.259; 261-288)
 The natural approach
 Total physical response Larsen-Freeman & Anderson
(2011; pp.103-114)
10 Feedback and Evaluation Harmer (2007, pp.137-151;
 Giving feedback 379-389) or newer edition
 Testing and evaluation
11 Factors that influence the acquisition of https://www.slideshare.net/n0n
languages 4/affective-factors-in-sla
Other source:
Ortega (2014, pp.167-215)

2
 12 Methods in teaching listening through online, Brown (2001, pp.247-266) or
blended, and hybrid teaching and learning newer edition; various
processes offline/online sources
13 Methods in teaching speaking through online, Brown (2001, pp.267-297) or
blended, and hybrid teaching and learning newer edition;
processes various offline/online sources
14 Methods in teaching reading through online, Brown (2001, pp.298-333) or
blended, and hybrid teaching and learning newer edition;
processes various offline/online sources
15 Methods in teaching writing through online, Brown (2001, pp.334-360) or
blended, and hybrid teaching and learning newer edition;
processes various offline/online sources
16 Final examination

Readings/Sources

Main references:
Brown, D. (2001). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language
Pedagogy. White Plains, NY: Pearson Education. (or newer edition)
Developing 21st century skills in the classroom.
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/loli-iglesias/developing-21st-century-
skills-classroom?field_site_structure_tid%5B18832%5D=18832.
Gray, A. (2016, January 19). The 10 skills you need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial
Revolution. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-
10-skills-you-need-to-thrive-in-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/.
Harmer, J. (2007). The practice of language teaching. London: Pearson Longman. (or
newer edition)
Hr, N. (2014, December 25). https://www.slideshare.net/n0n4/affective-factors-in-sla .
Larsen-Freeman, D., & Anderson, M. (2011). Techniques and Principles in Language
Teaching (4th ed.). Oxford, England: Oxford UP. 
Motteram, G. (2013). Innovations in learning technologies for English language teaching.
London: British Council.
Ortega, L. (2009). Understanding Second Language Acquisition. London, England: Hodder
Education.
Richards, J.C. and T.S. Rodgers. (2014). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching
(3rd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Tomlinson, B., & Whittaker, C. (2013). Blended learning in English language teaching:
Course design and implementation. London: British council.
Trilling, B. & Fadel, C. (2009). 21st century skills: learning for life in our times. San
Fransisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Other sources:
Books:
– Brown, H. & Bradford, A. (2016). EMI, CLIL, & CBI: Differing Approaches and
Goals. JALT2016 • Transformation in Language Education. Retrieved September 26,
2020, from https://jalt-publications.org/files/pdf-article/jalt2016-pcp-042.pdf.
– Celce-Murcia, M., D.M. Brinton, and M.A. Snow. 2014. Teaching English as a
Second or Foreign Language (4th edition). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning.
– Marzano, R., & Kendall, J. (2007). The new taxonomy of educational objectives (2nd
ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

3
– Cambridge English: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/
Websites:
– Edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org
– iTELL Indonesia: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJy3SdrpCG2Pthfg6rnzewA
– Teaching English, British Council: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk
– Prof. Jack Richards: https://www.professorjackrichards.com/difference-between-an-
approach-and-a-method/
– Various offline and online sources.

Course Responsibilities

Readings: Read the assigned chapters/sections for each weeks ahead (before online/offline
discussions). As you read, take notes, look up new words/concepts, note questions that you
may have. Engage well with the readings and be prepared to discuss them in class.

Participation: Contribute to class discussion and support other people’s participation.

Unexcused absence will affect your grade. If you miss class activities, you are responsible
for getting information you missed from your classmate.

Facilitation of Discussions: Once during the course, students will lead a class discussion
for a part of a course meeting. Facilitators prepare activities in relation to the method/s
being discussed. I will be happy to discuss the facilitation preparation with you and give
guidance.

Final Paper: At the end of the semester each student must submit a final paper. The topic
of the paper will be decided later in the semester.

Covid-19 Pandemic Safety Regulation: Meetings will be conducted online until instructed
otherwise by the graduate school administrators.

Course Evaluation
Grading percentage:
– Facilitation of discussion : 30 %
– Mid-semester examination : 25 %
– Assignments & final paper : 15 %
– Final-semester examination : 30 %

Universitas PGRI Palembang’s guidance for final grades:

Grade Range Letter Grade Numerical Grade
85 - 100 A 4
76 - 84.99 B+ 3.5
70 - 75.99 B 3
60 - 69.99 C+ 2.5
58 - 59.99 C 2
46 - 55.99 D 1
< 45.99 E 0

4
 Expectation of Student Conduct

 The learning community in the classroom requires respect, cooperation, and

communication among the lecturer and students. Use of mobile communication devices
(e.g. cellphones, smartphones) that is distracting and/or disruptive is prohibited.
Laptops may be used during meetings only for class activities (e.g. taking notes and
viewing course readings).
 Scholastic honesty is required and highly valued. All work submitted for this class must
be your own. Representing/copying the work of other people is plagiarism, which will
affect your grade.
 In accordance with the university’s policy, students must have at least 80% attendance
in order to be permitted to take the final examination. If your attendance is less than
80%, in order to gain permission to take the final examination, you are required to work
on additional assignments.

Palembang, 7 Februari 2021

Nangsari Ahmad Artanti Puspita Sari