Course Overview

The course will focus on application of learning and language acquisition theories to strong mother tongue based multilingual education (formal education system) in non-dominant language communities.  The following topics will be covered

1.      Learning theories and language acquisition theories

2.      Learner-centered teaching and learning:  overview of good practices

3.      Curriculum and learning materials that support concept attainment and language acquisition

4.      Government / community partnerships in successful MTB MLE programs: Focus on language acquisition issues 

COURSE READINGS:  Electronic papers relating to each topic will be sent to the participants before and during the course.

Course assignments  (to be completed before the end of the course)

1.      Participate in panel presentations of learning and language acquisition theories presented in the course

2.      Develop one year of outcomes and indicators for L1 and L2 language acquisition

3.      Develop lesson plans with teachers’ activity guide for one week of class (Grade 1); focus on learner-centered activities that build higher level thinking skills

4.      Develop a language progression plan (L1 plus L2) for the entire MLE program with an overview of how the plan will be achieved.

REQUIRED FOR THE COURSE

Participants should bring to the course:

1.      A copy of the government’s standards / competencies for primary education in their area. These standards /competences will be central to their assignments during the course.

2.      Examples of teaching or learning materials that have been developed for their programs, including graded reading materials, primers, etc.