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The University of Illinois at Chicago
Spanish/French 448:

Foundations in Communicative Language Teaching

Fall 2004
Professor: Dr. Kim Potowski

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Course requirements

Welcome to Spanish/French 448.

This is one of two required methods courses for the Spanish and French Teacher Education majors at UIC.

This course provides an introduction to second language acquisition research and the implications for language teaching. Emphasis is on the development of students’ communicative abilities in speaking and listening and testing of those abilities.

Objectives:

By the end of the course, students will:

1) Be able to discuss general traits of major theories underlying second language acquisition and communicative language teaching.

2) Be able to describe five different teaching approaches.

3) Demonstrate an understanding of the national, state, and local foreign language standards in listening and speaking by creating lesson plans that incorporate them.

4) Identify desired characteristics of textbooks, and describe techniques for adapting listening and speaking exercises so they are proficiency-oriented.

5) Demonstrate proficiency with the technology available for language classes, including email, electronic discussion groups, Usenet, the web, videos, and computer programs.

6) Demonstrate techniques for evaluating student speaking and listening performance by creating assessment instruments.

7) Understand the need to collaborate with content area teachers and incorporate content into their lessons.

Required reading:

1.Lee, James & VanPatten, Bill. (1995). Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen. Second edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

2. A first or second year Spanish or French textbook that is used in local high schools.

3. Other articles as assigned, to be left on reserve at the library.

Note: UIC strives to ensure the accessibility of programs, classes, and services to students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations can be arranged for students with various types of disabilities, such as documented learning disabilities, vision or hearing impairments, and emotional or physical disabilities. If you need accommodations for this class, be sure to register with the Office of Disability Services, 1190 SSB, 413-2183, and let your instructor know your needs.