Learning Foreign Languages Effectively

2024/2025

Type: Minor

Delivered by: Department of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Arts and Humanities

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Svetlana Kucherenko, Irina Nuzha, Tatiana Tsarapkina

Language: English

ECTS credits: 5

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This course is designed to equip students with knowledge on how languages are learned and how to organize this process effectively. This knowledge will help students to become more efficient and effective language learners and to gain understanding of language learning processes needed to become effective language teachers. The course surveys general issues related to second language learning, discusses key concepts (such as input, output, interlanguage or noticing), focuses on factors affecting language learning (such as age, motivation or first language), learner characteristics and preferences and strategies for effective language learning. Various approaches to language learning will also be discussed in this course.

Learning Objectives

1. To introduce students to the key concepts and terminology related to language acquisition, language learning, bilingualism, multilingualism, strategies and approaches to learning languages. 2. to build students’ awareness about key concepts in second languages learning, various theories related to learning foreign languages, factors, affecting this process, approaches to teaching foreign languages. 3. to improve communication skills within the teaching/ learning environment; 4. to develop/review basic linguistic concepts and terminology related to language learning and teaching.

Expected Learning Outcomes

To learn key concepts related to language acquisition, language learning, bilingualism, multilingualism, strategies and approaches to learning foreign languages;
To be able to plan the content and the results of the process of learning a foreign language based on acquired knowledge of theories of second/foreign language learning and acquisition, brain-based learning, strategies and approaches to teaching foreign languages;
To raise the awareness of psychology of foreign language learning, factors, affecting this process, including problems, learners might have while learning.
To be able to design tailor-made courses aimed at facilitating the process of second language learning.
To be able to discuss various issues of learning foreign languages in the academic context

Course Contents

Common Ideas and trends.
Effective language learners and effective language learning environment.
Theories with the greatest impact on the nature of language learning. Basic concepts and terms
Most effective patterns of language learning
Old obstacles to and current breakthroughs in language learning
Motivation as the main determinant of language learning
Effective modes of language learning
Learner autonomy and learner agency
Brain and effective memorization techniques in language learning
Effective language instruction
Effective language assessment

Assessment Elements

Quiz
5%
Extended answers
10%
In-class group-activity
20%
Individual academic or creative project
10%
end-of-module group activity
20%
Forum grade
5%
Exam
30%

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 2nd module
0.3 * Exam + 0.1 * Extended answers + 0.05 * Forum grade + 0.2 * In-class group-activity + 0.1 * Individual academic or creative project + 0.05 * Quiz + 0.2 * end-of-module group activity

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

How to Teach English : an introduction to the practice of English language teaching, 198 p., Harmer, J., 2001

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Oxford dictionary of word origins, , 2010

Authors

PAVLOV VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH
PEREGUDOVA Tatiana VLADISLAVOVNA
URSUL Natalia VALEREVNA
NUZHA IRINA VITALEVNA

Course Syllabus