Language training for primary school teachers University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Transcription

1 Language training for primary school teachers University of Modena and Reggio Emilia ITALY Language Training 1

2 Executive Summary The programme aims at introducing theory and practice of primary school language teaching and train primary school teachers in the teaching of EFL. The programme s objectives can be positioned to cover two EU policies: improvement of the quality and efficiency of provisions and outcomes; provision of the necessary skills and qualifications for the world of work (in this case, this is represented by public and private nursery and primary schools). The main target groups of the programme are teacher-students studying at the Primary Education Science Faculty of the University of Reggio Emilia and Modena. The programme provides training to an average number of 80 to 110 persons students per year. The targeted competence level is high B1 of the CERFL and the requested minimum entry level is A2. The average length of each training course is 120 hours (60 hours language laboratory + 60 hours theory). The quality assurance procedures for the programme are quite simple and consist of an online confidential evaluation questionnaire administered to the students. The programme is carried out within the National Education framework and as such it is not subject to sustainability issues. 2

3 1. Description & Objectives of Programme The programme lasts three months and is provided by the Faculty of Primary Education Science of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The objective of the programme is to improve the language skills of primary school English teachers so as to enable them to provide quality teaching of EFL to their target segment (i.e. primary school pupils). This course was included in the syllabus after a survey conducted on primary school language teachers showed that understanding of written texts and pronunciation were two areas where teachers felt inadequate. The main innovative aspect of the course lies in its focussing on phonology and language teaching methodology. The main tools used to perform training are videos taken in primary schools representing language classes held by language teachers where practical application of the theoretical principles of language teaching can be observed (e.g., how to shift from an activity to another, use of classroom language, etc.). The videos are viewed by students in the classroom, then analyzed, commented and explained step by step by the teacher, and eventually commented on by the students referring to the theoretical principles learned in class. This method allows direct involvement of the students in the actual work environment. The course implies an entrance test made up of a literacy test and a placement test in English. Minimum entry level is A2 and exit target is high B1. Primary school language teachers are not required to have a very high language skill level because in their teaching they are expected to handle a rather limited lexicon mainly composed of simple everyday-life and familyrelated vocabulary, nursery rhymes etc. What is more important is that they achieve adequate language skills to enable them to understand the 3

4 instructions provided by the teacher s manual and to master the phonetic alphabet so that they can reproduce the exact pronunciation of words in class. 2. EU Policy the Training Implements The programme s objectives can be positioned to cover two EU policies: improvement of the quality and efficiency of provisions and outcomes; provision of the necessary skills and qualifications for the world of work. The course takes place in Reggio Emilia and its impact is of 80 to 110 trainees per each edition. 3. Main target groups, numbers targetted and trained The programme addresses students of the Faculty of Primary Education Science wishing to become language teachers in primary school. The number of students trained every year varies from 80 to 110. The course offers a State Teacher Certification in teaching EFL in the Italian Public Instruction primary schools. 4

5 4. Targetted Levels & Competencies based on CEFRL L1 Languages Target Language Targetted levels & competencies based on the CEFRL Targeted Competencies Understanding Speaking Writing Listening Reading Spoken interaction Spoken production level Competency or level Competency or level Competency or level Competency or Level Competency or IT EN N.A. N.A. A2 P.C. N.A. N.A. A2 P.C. N.A. N.A. P.C. (Partial competence) was chosen as target competence since the courses are not aimed at improving the trainees English language skills on a general level, but they aim just at providing language skills strictly related to the trainees operational area, namely: 1) reading comprehension skills (including basic vocabulary and grammar) 2) spoken production skills mainly concerning classroom language (e.g.: everybody stand up and get in a circle, raise your hands, etc.) Primary school language teachers are not required to possess proficiency level knowledge of English because in their teaching they are expected to handle a rather limited lexicon mainly composed of simple everyday-life and family-related vocabulary, nursery rhymes etc. What is more important is that they achieve adequate language skills to enable them to understand the instructions provided by the teacher s manual and to master the phonetic alphabet so that they can reproduce the exact pronunciation of words in class. For this reason a third skill group is included in the course syllabus: 3) phonology, methodology, dynamics of story-telling. At the end of the course the trainees will have achieved a high B1 level that will be proved through tests in the three skills mentioned above. 5

6 5. Length of Training Each training course lasts 120 hours composed of 60 hours language laboratory and 60 hours theoretical lesson. The laboratory part is preparatory to the theoretical part. After the laboratory part the trainees must take a test and if they pass the test they can access the theoretical part. Average pass rate is 90%. The number of training hours is realistic, since the training is limited to the language skills that are strictly necessary for the trainees to perform language teaching in primary schools according to the specifications described in Section 4 and has no further objective. 6. Quality Assurance of Training The quality of the service is measured by means of an online evaluation questionnaire to be filled in by the trainees. The questionnaires are anonymous. In case the course receives negative feedback a verification process takes place to identify possible corrective actions. The quality assurance of the training is monitored by the National Board of Instruction through check of conformity to University rules and regulations. The course issues a formal State Teacher Certification in teaching EFL in the Italian Public Instruction primary schools. 7. Sustainability Options The programme is carried out within the National Education framework and as such it is not subject to sustainability issues since it if funded with public resources. 6

7 8. Transferability The programme in the way it was conceived is fully transferrable in other language contexts in the framework of primary school language teaching. 7