DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

No Banner module data is available

Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Fiona Gallagher
Semester 2: Fiona Gallagher
Autumn: Fiona Gallagher
Module TeachersFiona Gallagher
Catherine Geraghty
Inmaculada Gomez Soler
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Resubmission of assignment
Description

This module will introduce student teachers to Languages as an area of learning in post-primary education in Ireland. Participating in this module will develop knowledge and understanding of how classroom practice meets curricular framework requirements for Junior and Senior Cycle Languages. The module aims to develop student teachers' subject specific pedagogical content knowledge and their personal and professional identities as educators. Student teachers will be supported in becoming responsive and reflective practitioners and confident curriculum makers, through individual and collaborative engagement. The module will explore how practice is underpinned by theory in the context of professional learning. Student teachers will examine the role of inclusive practice and care in the creation of equitable learning experiences for all students. Engaging in this module will advance student teachers' communicative, digital and interpersonal skills and enable them to establish effective and creative learning environments.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically engage with the Junior and Senior Cycle curricular guidelines for Languages, with particular reference to curricular reform.
2. Reflect on their emerging professional identity as subject experts and autonomous practitioners and on their capacity to foster professional relationships with students, parents, colleagues and members of the wider school community and teaching profession.
3. Critically evaluate and reflect on the theoretical underpinnings of a range of methods and resources to support and encourage students to take ownership of their learning through individual and collaborative engagement.
4. Devise and develop differentiated and inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies that enable all students to progress in accordance with their potential.
5. Appreciate how inclusive, equitable and responsive practices and content positively impact student wellbeing, social justice and sustainable development.
6. Design learning experiences that support the development of a creative mindset.
7. Explore the role of digital technologies in supporting teaching, learning and assessment for all students.
8. Demonstrate a capacity to promote literacy and numeracy in relation to subject discipline.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Workshop24Workshops where students engage with core module content, participate in and reflect on modelled teaching episodes
Online activity10Synchronous and asynchronous lectures discussing and engaging with core module learning
Group work16Collaborative lesson design and subject based collegial activities
Independent Study50Individual lesson design, resource preparation, reflection and evaluation of teaching, reading.
Assignment Completion25Designing subject specific learning experiences, including the alignment of theory and practice.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Subject Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Introduction to subject specific inclusive pedagogical practices through modelled workshops and demonstrations. Explore, develop and reflect on teaching, learning and assessment practices in workshops and online lectures.

Core Values of Teaching and Professional Practice
Development of core values of teaching including care, collegiality, collaboration, relationship building and student-centred learning through engagement in professional learning communities.

The Teacher/Facilitator as Curriculum Maker and Reflective Practitioner
Synthesise key curricular and pedagogical concepts through Junior and Senior Cycle lesson design, implementation and reflection to construct a professional vision of quality teaching, learning and assessment.

Theory and Practice
Engagement with relevant learning artefacts (e.g. curricular resources, digital and sensory stimuli, academic literature, policy documents etc.) to understand the relationship between theory and practice.

Methodologies for Teaching Languages
Universal task design including teacher exposition, concept development, multiple entry points and flexible options for engagement, representation, action and expression; Classroom talk including whole class, small group and carousel discussions, walking debates and jigsaw groups; Drama based methods including still image, soundscapes, conscience alley, role play, sculpting and teacher-in-role; Reading and writing including text analysis, modelling, targeted writing, reflective journals, newspapers and print media; Digital technologies including visual images, video, animations, Google Earth, and social media; Participative learning methods including group work, pair work, and game-based learning activities.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PortfolioThe design of teaching, learning and assessment experiences with research informed rationale and self-critical learning opportunities based on individual and collaborative reflection.100%Week 27
Indicative Reading List

  • Ellis, R.: 2012, Language teaching research and language pedagogy., John Wiley & Sons,
  • Baker, C, & Wright W.E.: 2017, Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism, 6th, Multilingual Matters,
  • Conti , Gianfranco & Smith, Steve.: 2019, Breaking the Sound Barrier: Teaching Language Learners How to Listen,,
  • Smith, Steve & Conti, Gianfranco 2016: 2016, The Language Teacher Toolkit, CreateSpace Publishing,
  • Lightbown, P. M. & Spada, N .: 2013, How languages are learned., Oxford University Press,
Other Resources

59637, Website, https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-europe an-framework-reference-languages/, 0, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-europe an-framework-reference-languages/, 59638, Website, YouTube channel: Unpacking Language Pedagogy, 0, Unpacking Language Pedagogy, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC45p8Zozqmog52UYdptpMmg, 59639, Website, Irish Post Primary Languages, 0, Irish Post Primary Languages, https://ppli.ie/,

<< Back to Module List