Module 2

WHAT A LANGUAGE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN

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Handout 1

1. Make a list of what learners need to know about a new language

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2. Watch the video clip about a teacher discussing this topic and match each type of
knowledge with its description in table below

Types of knowledge Descriptions

Knowledge about communities and social

practices, how language is used by
Linguistic knowledge
different groups of people, in different
situations, for different purposes

Knowledge of English and of other

World knowledge languages (words, grammatical structures,
speaking, reading skills, etc.)

General’ knowledge (e.g. general facts

about the world) or specialist knowledge
Sociocultural knowledge
(e.g. particular knowledge about a
particular subject or aspect of life)

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English Language Teaching Methodology 1
 Module 2

WHAT A LANGUAGE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN

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Handout 2
PRONUNCIATION

1. Make a list of some English sounds that Vietnamese learners of English need to
practice. Why is it necessary to practice these sounds?
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2. Give some examples of sound rules and stress rules in English that your learners
need to know. How useful is knowing these rules in learning pronunciation?
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3. Give some examples of sentence intonation patterns in English. Why is it

necessary for English learners to use appropriate intonation in speaking English?
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4. Harmer says: “Our aim should make sure that students can always be understood
to say what they want to say. They will need good pronunciation for this, though
they may not need to have perfect accent. The teaching of pronunciation should,
therefore, aim to give students communicative efficiency” How do you
understand this idea? Discuss and share ideas in groups.

5. In your opinion, what is the best way of teaching pronunciation for learners at
secondary schools?
Handout 3
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English Language Teaching Methodology 1
 Module 2

WHAT A LANGUAGE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN

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GRAMMAR

1. Why do you think that the knowledge of grammar is essential for competent users
of language?

2. “Our aim in teaching grammar should be to ensure that students are

communicatively efficient with the grammar they have at their level. We may not
teach them the finer points of style at the intermediate level, but we should make
sure that they can use what they know”. How do you understand this idea?

3. How should grammar be taught to secondary students? What techniques/activities

do you often use to teach grammar to your learners?

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English Language Teaching Methodology 1
 Module 2

WHAT A LANGUAGE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN

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Handout 4

VOCABULARY
1. What aspects of vocabulary do you think learners at secondary school should
know?

2. How do you often learn vocabulary? Make a list of techniques you and other
language learners you know often use to learn vocabulary. Do you think the work
well?

3. Do you agree with this idea?

“When students learn words in context they are far more likely to remember them than
if they learn them as single items. And even if this were not true they would at least get
a much better picture of what the words mean.” (Harmer)

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English Language Teaching Methodology 1
 Module 2

WHAT A LANGUAGE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN

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Handout 5

DISCOURSE
1. Referring to discourse, what should a language learner be aware of? Why?

2. What do we need to bear in mind when deciding what language to teach when
working with functions?

3. What is discourse organization? How important is it in learning a language?

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Would you teach the four language skills to your learners secondary schools? Why(not)?

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English Language Teaching Methodology 1