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.