English: Observation Period Leading to the Teaching Experience
(IEDU 0012)
2 or 4 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES Through getting insights into teaching English on primary level in the Finnish context students should be able to:
  • recognize components of different types of foreign language lessons
  • learn about what motivates pupils, what promotes or hinders foreign language learning
  • recognize how differentiation helps teaching in mixed ability groups
  • compare methods and techniques used in foreign language lessons in a Finnish school and in the home country
  • achieve readiness to plan and teach foreign language lessons
    		•
    CONTENT This component provides a lead-in to teaching. It includes guided observation of 10 or 20 English lessons and completion of set tasks related to the observation. Students will be familiarized with teaching English on primary level in the Finnish context. They will understand and follow a structure of a foreign language lesson with focus on what promotes language learning in a primary classroom and what motivates pupils. The Observation Period will facilitate planning a foreign language lesson using a variety of teaching methods.
    PREREQUISITES Students are expected to be familiar with a foreign language lesson structure and foreign language teaching methods and approaches. Therefore completion of the following courses is highly recommended. Please note that if you intend to teach (see LTAS 0202), the same recommended courses become compulsory: LAPE 1623 Pedagogy of English and Swedish languages English part only 2 ects in the autumn semester, or IEDU 0008 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) 2 ects in the spring semester. Equivalence of other relevant courses which have been already completed will be considered on individual basis.

    CEFR level B2 of English. A very general assessment of one’s CEFR level can be found here
    STUDY
    METHODS    		 Guided observation of 10 or 20 English lessons, related assignments.
    ACCOMPLISHMENT
    METHODS    		 Completion of written observation tasks. 10 or 20 lessons observed and documented (2 or 4 ects, respectively) if the observation is taken as an independent component. 20 lessons observed and documented (4 ects) if the observation will be followed by teaching.

    SO,
    Observation of 10 English lessons and completion of written observation tasks 2 ects Pass/fail
    OR
    Observation of 20 English lessons and completion of written observation tasks 4 ects Pass/fail

    However, if the home university of a student requires a grade, it can be granted on request. Observation of 10 English lessons and completion of written observation tasks 2 ects 5-1/fail

    Observation of 20 English lessons and completion of written observation tasks 4 ects 5-1/fail
    LITERATURE
    MATERIALS    		 Materials covered during LAPE 1623 Pedagogy of English and Swedish languages English part only 2 ects in the autumn semester, or IEDU 0008 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) 2 ects in the spring semester, books used for teaching English, other materials recommended by teachers, observation sheets.

    EVALUATION Pass/fail based on requirements.
    If the home university of a student requires a grade, it can be granted on request. Grading scale (5-1/fail). If grading is needed, the supervising lecturer and teacher(s) should be informed by a deadline, before observations take place. The exact times will be given when students arrive at the University of Lapland.
    Detailed evaluation criteria are in Peppi.
    TIMING Autumn semester (for students arriving at the beginning of an academic year), and spring semester (for students arriving at the beginning of a calendar year).
    The timetables for IEDU 0012 are agreed on individually with the teachers of English at the UL Teacher Training School.
    YEAR OF
    STUDY    		 Undergraduate, graduate.
    TUTOR University lecturer in English and foreign language teaching: Elizabeth Alssen, in cooperation with teachers at the University of Lapland Teacher Training School.
    LANGUAGE OF
    INSTRUCTION    		 English
    ADDITIONAL
    INFORMATION    		 The module can be taken independently but is a prerequisite for the Teaching Experience. Participation in the module is subject to agreement with teachers of English at the University of Lapland Teacher Training School. Credits for the module are awarded jointly by the Faculty of Education and the Teacher Training School. Students who wish to take this module have to contact the tutor [E. Alssen elizabeth.alssen(at)ulapland.fi] in person prior to enrolment. LTAS 0202 must be followed by the The Teaching Experience Reflective Report (IEDU 0014). Participation in this module is arranged individually with E. Alssen