Ted Quock, Associate Professor, Keisen University. thq@keisen.ac.jp
1 credit or 0 [zero] credit - No prerequisites - TESOL. Open to all groups
Can be combined with a practicum
Pass/Fail (Letter Grade Option)

Dates	Time
September: Sat. 15th; 22nd; 29th October: Sun. 7th; Sat. 13th November: Sun. 4th	Saturdays: 4:00pm - 8:00pm Sundays: 10am - 5pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the concept of media as teaching materials, particularly media not specifically designed for language-teaching purposes, how various media can be exploited for use as either core or supplementary/complementary materials, and how the same media can be used across the spectrum of language learners.

Much of the focus will be on audiovisual media and their application to the teaching and training of speaking and listening skills. Attention will also be given to the Internet and other aspects of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and printed media (including literature, newspapers & magazines, and pictures). We will also concentrate on specific content including movies, music and humor.

COURSE CONTENT

During the course, the following issues will probably arise at some point, some more frequently and/or prominently than others:

• definition of "media", language teaching/learning vs. language training/practice* implicit vs. explicit teaching; incidental teaching
• use of authentic materials, materials selection & development, materials creation vs. materials development, appropriateness of authentic materials in low-level classes, influence of materials/media on methods, teaching materials vs. teaching aids, non-traditional teaching media
• authentic communication in the classroom with an emphasis on speaking and listening, role of mistakes and miscommunication in the classroom, teaching your students vs. teaching at your students, content-based teaching, justifying lesson content
• feedback, fluency vs. accuracy, assessment of student performance on communicative activities, testing and the appearance thereof, potential problems with "tried-and-true" approaches, level of difficulty, mastery of target teaching points, subjectivity vs. objectivity, realistic expectations

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Required reading packet (available from TC)
• Presentations and mini-presentations
• Performance in class discussion and other classroom activities

CRITERIA FOR GRADING

Grading will be based on:

• attendance
• active participation in all course requirements
• receptivity to new concepts and approaches and demonstrated willingness to introduce them in the classroom

PRE-COURSE ASSIGNMENT

The following should be submitted before the first lesson:

• cassette tape or MD recording of oral self-introduction (including teaching experience, English language background for NNS, and reasons for registering in this course)
• contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, fax number, home telephone number, mobile number [including best times to call])
• list of your favorite works in various media (movies/movie genres/movie stars, music/musical genres/singers or musicians/songs or other works of music, book/story, magazine, TV show, work of art, etc.)

BOOKS TO BUY

There are no textbooks to purchase for this course but all students should buy the reading packet available from the TC office.

BIO-DATA

Ted Quock (M.A. in Language Studies, San Francisco State University) has been teaching English in Japan since early 1979. He served as Program Director/Course Director of Simul Academy and Chief Writer for the Simul teaching materials for over 10 years, focusing on CNN-based curriculum planning and materials development and individual courses exploiting news media, video, music and other non-traditional media. Now an associate professor of English Communication at Keisen University, he teaches courses on Western Humor, English Through Music and Video and Mixed Media. He has written textbooks based on advanced level speaking skills and learning from CNN and CNBC TV news, and is completing a textbook based on the comedy of the late Victor Borge.