Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fall 2015
Course Description
This course introduces students to a needs-based, learner-centered approach to designing ELT
curricula, courses, and materials. At the beginning of the semester, students will work together
with instructor guidance to revamp a course for a local ESL program. Then, following the same
model, each student will propose a curriculum, or the redevelopment of an existing curriculum,
for the ESL/EFL teaching context of their choosing. Through needs assessment, students will
identify curricular goals and course objectives, and then determine the appropriate syllabus
structure, develop a course unit outline, plan and create materials for the unit, determine training
needs for future course instructors, and devise a system of evaluation. Finally, students will
formally pitch the proposal in an in-class presentation preparing them for the real world of
curriculum development. Additional topics include working as a freelance curriculum
developer, marketing and pricing courses, and writing contracts.
Fall 2015
TESL 645
Course Texts
Graves, K. (2000). Designing language courses: A guide for teachers. Boston: Heinle and
Heinle. (GRV)
Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2011). The understanding by design guide to creating high-quality
units. Alexandria, VA: ASCD. (UBD)
Academic Integrity
You are subject to the Academic Integrity Code of American University. Please carefully read
the guidelines at http://www.american.edu/academics/integrity/. All work you submit must be
your own or must be properly documented. In addition, collaborative work and work submitted
for another class must be approved in advance by the instructor.
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TESL 645
Assignment Descriptions
Please see the Assignments folder on Blackboard (Bb) for additional guidelines.
Fall 2015 3
TESL 645
Fall 2015 4
TESL 645
3 9/14 Needs analysis (I): Gathering and GRV, Ch. 6 Oral Report:
analyzing learner data Macalister (2012) Curriculum
Design Article
Curriculum
Needs Analysis
Plan
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TESL 645
13 11/23 Preparing others to work with your Nation & Macalister Draft Lesson
materials (2010, Ch. 12-13 Plans and
Evaluating the course Materials
Fall 2015 6