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Overview

Course Prescription

An exploration, critique and application of theoretical principles and current issues in the second language curriculum. Includes historical examination of influential approaches and methods, with particular attention to the development and current position of communicative approaches. Examines issues associated with course design processes including assessment of needs, objectives setting, syllabus and materials selections, and course evaluation.

Course Overview

This advanced-level course provides a comprehensive examination of theoretical principles and contemporary issues in second language curriculum design and implementation. The course is structured to develop both conceptual understanding and practical competencies in curriculum development for language teaching contexts.

The course begins with a critical examination of the sociopolitical and cultural factors that influence second language pedagogy, with particular attention to the phenomenon of global English and its implications for curriculum design. Students will engage with the historical evolution of communicative approaches to language teaching over the past six decades, analysing their theoretical foundations and examining the challenges associated with implementing communicative language teaching methodologies in non-Western educational contexts.

The curriculum is organised into three interconnected components. The first component explores the contextual factors that shape second language curricula, including institutional constraints, learner demographics, and sociocultural considerations. The second component investigates the range of curriculum frameworks available to practitioners, with critical analysis of curricula organised around language structures, content-based instruction, learning processes, and learner-centred approaches. Students will evaluate the benefits and limitations of each organisational principle and their applicability to diverse teaching contexts.

The third component focuses on the systematic processes of curriculum development and implementation. This includes comprehensive treatment of needs assessment methodologies, goal and objective specification, syllabus design principles, materials selection and evaluation, unit and lesson planning, pedagogical methodology selection, and mechanisms for monitoring the received curriculum. Throughout this component, students will gain hands-on experience in creating curriculum documents appropriate for specific learner populations and institutional contexts.

Pedagogical approaches employed in the course include explicit instruction in curriculum design principles, critical analysis of authentic curriculum documents from various educational settings, theory-based tasks that bridge conceptual frameworks with practical application, and collaborative learning activities through small-group and whole-class discussions. Course sessions are intentionally designed to prepare students for assignment tasks, ensuring alignment between learning activities and assessment requirements.

Assessment tasks have been structured to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students will work with established curriculum design frameworks, conduct critical analyses of existing curricula, and develop original curriculum documents suitable for implementation in professional teaching contexts. This approach ensures that graduates of the course possess not only theoretical understanding but also the practical competencies required for effective curriculum development in their future professional roles.

All course materials, including practice tasks and supplementary resources, are provided in a comprehensive course text to support student learning throughout the programme. The course is designed for Master's-level students in TESOL or related fields who seek to develop advanced expertise in curriculum design and implementation for second language teaching contexts.

Course Contacts

Maria Treadaway (m.treadaway@auckland.ac.nz)

Workload Expectations

20-25 hours each week (including work on assignments) for this 30 point course.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
Online

Teaching and Learning

Online

Online

  • Attendance is expected at scheduled online Zoom meetings.
  • Attendance on campus is not required for this paper.
  • Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
  • This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234567

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.