Spring, 2011

LANGUAGE SKILLS TEACHING (302)

Meeting Time and Place: Mondays, 10:30-12:20 (C-209)

Fridays, 15:30-17:20 (C-Z07)

Lecturer: Cem BALÇIKANLI, PHD

Office: C-122
Phone: (312) 202 84 55
E-mail: balcikanli@gazi.edu.tr
Listserv: facebook.com/ Cemm Balcikanli

Office Hours: Mondays (12:30-14:20)

Wednesdays (14:30-16.20)

Textbook

Tanner, R. and Green, C. (1998). Tasks for Teacher Education: A reflective

approach

Course Description

This course aims to provide an introduction to the teaching profession along with
certain principles that shape the way student teachers teach. We first examine
“speaking skills” along with the error correction in speaking skills. Along those
lines, we go over the basic activities like information and opinion gap. Afterwards,
we continue with “teaching writing skills” with a specific emphasis on how to
conduct writing activities in line with several dimensions to take into account.
Within this, we cover how to make corrections in written works. Finally, we
explore “integrated teaching skills” that give student teachers opportunities to
put everything into practice regarding the four language skills covered thus far.
During the semester, student teachers are expected to demo “teaching speaking”
and “integrated teaching skills” as well as to submit “ a writing lesson plan”.
Objectives

By the end of the course you will

• have a clear understanding of basic speaking activities like information and

opinion gap
• learn to apply theoretical constructs to improve classroom instruction for all
students.
• have an awareness of making corrections on language skills, namely
speaking and writing.
• be able to teach English an integrated way.

Evaluation

Midterm

Speaking demonstration (% 50)

Midterm examination (% 50)

Final

Writing lesson plan (%20)*

Integrated lesson (%30)*

Final examination (%50)*

*Tentative

Mid-term Test

The mid-term will be approximately 45 minutes in length and will cover concepts
and terminology from the book and class discussions. It will include both multiple-
choice and open-ended questions (% 50)

E-portfolio ON FACEBOOK*

You are expected to create an e-portfolio into which you will put your reflection at
the end of each session weekly. Even the notes taken in class and session
journals (of 5-6 sentences) will be included in the portfolio. This work will make it
easier to follow the progression and to have an archive of the course for possible
use in the future (% 50).

Speaking demonstrations: Student teachers are expected to demo a speaking

lesson alone. All the details are given by the lecturer.
Writing lesson plans: Student teachers are expected to SUBMIT a writing lesson
plan including all the aspects regarding teaching writing. All the details are given
by the lecturer in time.

Integrated skills teaching: Student teachers are expected to demo an integrated

lesson in a group of 3 to 4. All the details are given by the lecturer in time.

Final Test

The mid-term will be approximately 45 minutes in length and will cover concepts
and terminology from the book and class discussions. It will include both multiple-
choice and open-ended questions (.

Attendance and Participation

All students are expected to attend each class, arrive and depart on time, and be
prepared to participate actively (Active listening, asking questions, making
remarks, etc.). Students will be allowed 10 hours of absence without the need to
provide a reason. Excuses for absences (health problems, family problems, etc)
will be allowed but must be made up for by out-of-class time with the instructor.
After 10 hours of absences, students will fail the class.

Attention!
Absolutely no cell phones (or other communication device) are to be used in class,
as these are highly disruptive. This includes silently checking your messages or
sending text messages! If you are in an emergency situation where you feel you
must be in contact with someone, please speak to me ahead of class time.
Office Hours
Please feel free to come to see me during office hours. If you cannot see me
during my office hours, make sure that you contact me to make an appointment
that fits both your schedule and mine.
E-mail and Facebook (our online platform) are the quickest and most reliable way
to contact me.
 Assignment
Date Topic
due

Review of Syllabus Reflection on

Facebook
Week 1 Introduction and Course Overview

Reflection on
Speaking your mind (Teaching speaking)
Facebook
Week 2

Speaking your mind (Teaching speaking) Reflection on

Week 3
Facebook
We all make mistakes (Dealing with speaking errors)

Reflection on
We all make mistakes (Dealing with speaking errors)
Week 4 Facebook

Reflection on
Week 5 Students' Presentations
Facebook

Reflection on
Week 6 Students' Presentations
Facebook

Students' Presentations Reflection on

Week 7
Facebook
Dear Diary (Teaching writing)

Dear Diary (Teaching writing) Reflection on

Facebook
Week 8 Right On (Responding to learners' writing)

Reflection on
Week 9 Putting it all together (Integrating the skills)
Facebook

Week 10 MIDTERM WEEK 

Week 11 Reflection on
Putting it all together (Integrating the skills)
Facebook

Week 12 Reflection on
Students Presentations
Facebook

Week 13 Reflection on
Students Presentations
Facebook

Week 14 Reflection on
Students Presentations
Facebook