Última revisión realizada:03/05/2022

Subject Name

Oral and Written Skills for English Teachers

Study

Grado en Maestro de Educación Primaria (Grupo bilingüe)
ECTS Credits
6
Year and four month period
Fourth year, first and second four month period
Type of subject Optativa

Presentation

In this course we will study in depth some of the most important aspects related to effective communication in the classroom. During the following months, we will take a look at techniques we can use to convey contents in the most effective way, while bearing in mind the students’ interests and needs according to their developmental age. We will start reflecting upon the importance of motivation and how it can influence both teachers and learners’ attitude towards the learning process. Afterwards, we will focus on our role in the classroom as facilitators and how important it is transmitting the right sensations through our body language and intonation. It is also important pointing out the need of planning to ensure maximum understanding providing a stress-free environment both for us and our pupils. This subject also revises the importance of storytelling as a teaching resource, no matter the content we intend to teach. In addition, we cannot forget the importance of communicating in the correct way and, therefore, giving students feedback in a motivational manner to show them teachers are always willing to help. Finally, we will deal with some concepts about the physiognomy of the speech apparatus to deal with some issues which may appear related to voice problems.

Being a good communicator is not just a matter of theory, so this subject is complemented with interactive activities where you will show your communication abilities through recordings, written tasks and discussions. Communication in the classroom needs to be fluid, suitable according to the students’ needs and the subject we are teaching. This course is the first step to show you that teaching is a passionate trip in which the phrase “practice makes perfect” acquires full sense.

Competences

Basic competences

  • BC2. Students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner, and possess the skills that they usually demonstrate through the development and defence of arguments, as well as the resolution of problems within their area of study.

General competences

  • GC6. Be aware of language development in early childhood, know how to identify possible dysfunctions and ensure their correct development. Effectively address situations of language learning in multicultural and multilingual contexts. Express oneself orally and in writing and master the use of different expression techniques.

Specific competences

  • SC43. Encourage speech and writing skills.
  • SC44. Know and master oral and written expression techniques.

Program

Unit 1. Commmunication in the classroom I
Overview: current issues
The primary school child
References

Unit 2. Communication in the classroom II
Communication competence
Speaking anxiety
References

Unit 3. Motivation
Motivation
References

Unit 4. Teacher behaviours
Facilitated learning
Clarity and receiver apprehension
References

Unit 5. Gestures and intonation
Body language
Types of gestures
Voice and intonation
References

Unit 6. Classroom discourse
Classroom discourse
Planning and conducting discussion lessons
References

Unit 7. Planning and management of disruptive behaviour
Planning
Managing inappropriate behaviour
References

Unit 8. Feedback and assessment
Feedback
Assessment
References

Unit 9. Oral and written feedback
Oral feedback
Written feedback
References

Unit 10. The teacher as a storyteller
Storytelling as a teaching resource
Oral tradition and improvisation
References

Unit 11. Critical literacy
Critical thinking and critical literacy. What is the difference?
Critical literacy in the primary school classroom
References

Unit 12. Voice
Speech organs
Voice problems
Voice exercises
References

Methodology

Metodología

The different tasks and activities programmed during the semester have been developed with the goal of adapting the learning process to the different capabilities, necessities and interests of the students.

The activities included in the subject are:

  • Work. These are activities of different types: reflection, case analysis, practice, etc.
  • Participation in events. Events are scheduled every week of the semester: virtual face-to-face sessions, discussion forums, tests.
  • Reading commentary. This is a very specific type of activity that consists in the analysis of texts of articles by expert authors in different units of the subject.

In the weekly program you can find the specific tasks you need to complete in this subject.
Descarga el pdf de la programación

These activities are combined with the following aspects:

  • Personal Study
  • Tutoring. The tutoring class can be implemented through different tools and means. During the course of the subject, the teacher-tutor plans the individual tutoring on specific days for the resolution of academic-oriented doubts through “Consultation sessions”. Supplementing these sessions, students have also available the “Ask your teacher” forum through which they can formulate questions and check the corresponding answers on general aspects of the subject.  Due to the very nature of the media used, there are no fixed schedules for the students.
  • Final exam presence-based or online modality.

 

You can personalize your study plan choosing the type of activity that best matches your profile. The tutor will advise you and help you elaborate your study plan. S/he will always be available to guide throughout the course.

Bibliography

Basic bibliography

The section Basic Bibliography is essential for the course. If any document (reading, article,…) is not available in the virtual classroom, you will have to find it by other means: UNIR bookshop, virtual library…

The necessary texts for the study of this subject had been elaborated by UNIR and are available in a digital format for consultation, download and print in the virtual classroom.

Ausubel, D. P. (2002). Adquisición y retención del conocimiento. Una perspectiva cognitiva. Paidós: Barcelona.

Dörnyei, Z. (2001). Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Ellis, G. & Brewster, J. (2014). Tell it Again! The Storytelling Handbook for Primary English Language Teachers. London: British Council.

Gardner, H. (2011). Frames of Mind. The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Basic Books: New York.

Kearney, P., Plax, T. G., Richmond, V. P. & McCroskey, J. C. (1985). Power in the classroom III: Teacher communication techniques and messages. Communication Education, 34(1), 19-28.

McCallion, M. (1988). The Voice Book. London: Faber and Faber.

McCroskey, J. C. & Richmond, V. P. (1983). Power in the classroom I: Teacher and student perceptions. Communication Education, 32(2), 175-184.

Montessori, M. (2015). El método de la pedagogía científica aplicado a la educación de la infancia. Madrid: Biblioteca Nueva.

Piaget, J. & Inhelder, B. (1997). Psicología del niño. Madrid: Ediciones Morata.

Richmond, V. P. & McCroskey, J. C. (1984). Power in the classroom II: Power and learning. Communication Education, 33(2), 125-136.

Richmond, V. P. (2009). Communication in the classroom: Power and motivation. Communication Education, 39(3), 181-195.

Sanz Pinyol, G. (2014). Comunicación efectiva en el aula. Graó: Barcelona.

Whitin, D. J. & Whitin P.E. (2011). Learning to Read the Numbers. Integrating Critical Literacy and Critical Numeracy in K-8 Classrooms. Routledge: New York. .

 

evaluación

Evaluation and assessment

The evaluation system is based on the following numerical chart:

0 - 4, 9

Suspenso

(SS)

5,0 - 6,9

Aprobado

(AP)

7,0 - 8,9

Notable

(NT)

9,0 - 10

Sobresaliente

(SB)

The grade is made up of two components:

calificación

Final exam (60 %). At the end of the semester, you need to assist a compulsory final exam either in presence- based or online modality. You need to pass the final exam so the grade obtained from the assignments (continuous assessment) is summed up to the final grade of the subject. 

Continuous assessment (40 %): this type of assessment will be measured through the different assignments you need to complete during the course:

    • Active participation and involvement in forums, online classes.
    • Tasks. The completion of the different activities the students need to send through our virtual classroom such as research, critical thinking, practice cases.
    • Self-evaluation tests. At the end of each unit, students will find a short quiz which will help the students to check the knowledge acquired during the course.

Remember that you can check the points (value) of each assignment in the weekly program.

Take into account that the sum of the grades of the assignments included in the continuous assessment is 6 points. You can do as many as you want to until a maximum grade of 4 points (which is the maximum grade you will be obtaining in the continuous assessment)In the weekly program, you can find the grade of each assignment. .

Assessment method
Min. Score
Max. Score
Participation in forums, classes, etc.
0%
40%
Task, practice cases and activities
0%
40%
Self-evaluation test
0%
40%
Final exam
60%
60%

 

Bear in mind…
That if you decide to only take the final exam, you will need to have 5 points out of 6 to pass the subject.

Tips

Orientación para el estudio

Studying online means you can organize your study as you wish, as long as you meet the due dates of the different assignments (activities, tasks and tests). In order to help you, we propose the following steps:

  1. From our online platform you will have access to each of the subjects you are enrolled. Apart from this, the virtual classroom of Lo que necesitas saber antes de empezar (All you need to know before starting). In this section, you have available all the documents on how to use the different tools included in the virtual classroom, how a subject is organized and you will also have the possibility to organize your study plan with the tutor.
  2. Do not forget to check the weekly program. You will see which part of the content of the course you have to work on every week.
  3. After knowing your work for the week, go to Temas in your virtual classroom. There, you will have access to the study material (theory and practice) from the unit you need to study throughout the week.
  4. Start by reading the Key ideas of each unit, there you will find the specific study material and it will help you understand the most important points of the unit. Afterwards, check out the sections Specially Recommended and More Information where you will find more resources in order to deepen on the topic of the unit. .
  5. Devote some time to the practical cases and tasks in the subject (assignments and test). Remember that in your weekly program you find all the information related to the schedule for each assignment and the maximum grade you can obtain in each of them.
  6. We strongly recommend you to participate in the Events of the course (online classes, forums….). To know the precise schedule of the events, you need to check the communications tools in the virtual platform. Your teacher and tutor will inform you on the updates of the course.
In the virtual classroom of Lo que necesitas saber antes de empezar (All you need to know before starting) you will always find available information on the structure of the units and information on their sections

Remember that in Lo que necesitas saber antes de empezar (All you need to know before starting) you can check how the different tools of the virtual classroom work: email, forum, online classes, sending the tasks, etc.

Please, take into account the following tips…

  • Whatever you study plan is, go often to the virtual classroom so that you are always up to date about the course and you are in contact with your teacher and your tutor.
  • Remember you are not alone: send an email to your tutor if you have any doubt. If you attend the online classes, you can also ask your teacher about the contents of the unit. Also, you can always write your doubts and questions about  the contents in the Forum of each subject (Ask the teacher).
  • Be active and participate!  Whenever it is possible, attend the online classes and take part in the forums. The exchange of information, opinions, ideas and resources enrich us and the course.
  • And, remember, you are studying online: your effort and perseverance are the key element to obtain good results. Don’t leave everything to the last minute!!!