SubjectsSubjects(version: 978)
Course, academic year 2025/2026
   
ELT methodology IV - OPMN0A218B
Title: Didaktika AJ IV
Guaranteed by: Katedra anglického jazyka a literatury (41-KAJL)
Faculty: Faculty of Education
Actual: from 2023
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 3
Examination process: summer s.:
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:0/2, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unknown / 20 (unknown)
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Teaching methods: full-time
Note: enabled for web enrollment
priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
Guarantor: doc. PhDr. Klára Uličná, Ph.D.
Teacher(s): doc. PhDr. Klára Uličná, Ph.D.
Pre-requisite : OPMN0A215B
Is pre-requisite for: OPMN0A220B, OPMN0A219B
Annotation -
The course takes a close look at selected methods and approaches to teaching English as a foreign language. With the help of some essential knowledge from psychology and linguistics, the students will become familiar with the historical development of English language teaching, including the changing definition and conceptualization of language learning aims. Through studying the theory, preparing, realizing, and experiencing practical demonstrations in class and reflecting on them, we are going to seek answers to the following questions: What benefits do these methods and approaches have for our current English teaching practice at primary schools? And what methods can be effectively applied for which purpose? What methods suit “you” as an English teacher – What will be your “eclectic approach”? (OSKRAAU: CJ 1.1.1, 2.2.3, 6.1.1) The innovation of the subject was developed as part of the OP JAK project Support for the Development of Teacher Competences (PRoUK), registration number: CZ.02.02.XX/00/23_019/0008385.
Last update: Uličná Klára, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (21.02.2026)
Descriptors -
seminar sessions (24 hours), literature study (24 hours), study materials (12 hours), required tasks (12 hours), exam preparation (18)
Last update: Uličná Klára, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (02.02.2023)
Course completion requirements -

Active participation during the semester, including fulfiling the given tasks. Final interview (max. two retakes).

Last update: Uličná Klára, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (17.01.2023)
Literature -

Obligatory reading:

Richards, J. C. and Rogers, T. S.: Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014. (selected chapters)

OSKRAAU: foreign languages

Suggested literature:

ASHER, J.: Learning Another Language Through Actions. Los Gatos: Sky Oaks Productions, Inc., 2003.

KRASHEN, S.; TERRELL, T.: The Natural Approach: Language Acquisition in the Classroom. Hemel Hempstead: Prentice Hall Europe, 1988.

Kumaravadivelu, B. (2003). Beyond methods: macro-strategies for language teaching. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN: 0-300-09573-2.

KUMARAVADIVELU, B. Understanding Language Teaching: From Method to Postmethod. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2005. (selected chapters)

Larsen-Freeman, D. (2000). Techniques and principles in language teaching. Oxford: OUP. ISBN: 978-019-4355-742.

LARSEN-FREEMAN, D.; ANDERSON, M. Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching. Oxford: OUP, 2011.

SKEHAN, P. A. Cognitive Approach to Language Learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.

HOWATT, A. P. R., WIDDOWSON, H. G.: History of English Language Teaching, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.   

Van den Branden, K. (2006). Task-based language education: From theory to practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 13 978-0-521-68952-6.

Williams, M., & Burden, R. L. (1997). Psychology for language teachers: a social constructivist approach. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0-521-49880-7.

WILLIS, J.: A Framework for Task-Based Learning. Harlow: Longman, 1996

 

Last update: Uličná Klára, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (21.02.2026)
Requirements to the exam -

1. Attendance (no more than two missed classes), active participation


2. Required reading:

·       A list of relevant key words associated with each method/approach

·       creating an observation sheet for each method/approach based on the required reading

 

3. Micro-teaching (15-20 min, individually OR in pairs): a

·       a demonstration of what one of the methods/approaches looks like in practice (the best of the method, its inspiration), aimed at young learners

·       send me your lesson plan two days before your teaching

Your micro-teaching will demonstrate the selected method. An excellent presentation involves correct use of English, meeting the principles and using the techniques that are typical for the particular method/approach, and it is original.

 

4. Portfolio, own Eclectic approach/method, time-line (commented)

Your portfolio will contain:

-  your micro-teaching preparation (lesson plan, materials)

-  your micro-teaching self-reflection based on theory, practical experience and the feedback you have gained from your colleagues‘ observation sheets  

+

-  a list of keywords associated with each method/approach

-  completed observation sheets for each method/approach

Each observation sheet reflects the theory of the studied method/approach. No important features are omitted. The observation sheet should help you understand the experience you will have in class; to connect each part of your colleague’s presentation to theory and proper terminology.

At least three different approaches to observation sheet design are employed.

+

-       Own Eclectic Approach

-       Original time-line capturing the development of ELT foundations, methods/approaches and aims (commented)

 

5. An oral interview (in pairs)

The oral interview: An excellent performance demonstrates your knowledge of all of the discussed methods and approaches, your understanding of their similarities and differences, your ability to compare and contrast their various aspects, basic knowledge of their history, understanding their connection to theories of language and theories of learning, understanding of what influence they have had on current language teaching, and an awareness of what influence they have on you as a future English teacher. While your colleague is talking, you listen carefully, you may make notes, and afterwards you will ask questions that are theoretically in accord with the method/approach and that will address its unmentioned aspects.

Last update: Uličná Klára, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (28.01.2025)
Syllabus -
  • theoretical foundations; Historical overview; approach, method, technique – terminology and concepts
  • grammar-translation method
  • direct method
  • natural approach
  • audio-lingual method
  • silent way
  • (de)suggestopedia
  • community language learning
  • total physical response
  • communicative approach
  • dogme method
  • task-based approach
  • action oriented approach
  • content-based approaches, CLIL
  • other selected approaches and methods, e.g. lexical approach
  • post-method era; eclectic approach
  • Own eclectic approach (related to relevant parts od OSKRAAU for foreign languages)
Last update: Uličná Klára, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (21.02.2026)
Learning outcomes -

Students in relation to selected competences defined in OSKRAAU: CJ, esp. 1.1.1, 2.2.3, a 6.1.1

...define key concepts and terms related to the topic of approaches and methods in teaching English as a foreign language.

...explain the underlying psychological foundations of foreign language teaching.

...explain the underlying linguistic foundations of foreign language teaching.

...describe, explain and provide examples of different approaches and methods of foreign language teaching.

...interpret the literature studied and select/identify key aspects of each method and approach in relation to contemporary foreign language teaching.

... consider the advantages and disadvantages of each aspect of the selected approaches and methods of foreign language teaching in relation to the stated aims and age characteristics of the learners.

...prepare their own microteaching in accordance with the principles of the selected approach or method of foreign language teaching.

...design own observation sheets corresponding to the theoretical foundations of the different approaches and methods of foreign language teaching in order to provide peer feedback.

...analyze practical teaching demonstrations of individual approaches and methods of foreign language teaching.

...evaluate and justify microtreachings of classmates with the support of own observation sheet.

...design own eclectic approach to teaching English as a foreign language.

Last update: Uličná Klára, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (21.02.2026)
 
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