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Introduction to Language Teaching


Course Description

Key concepts for TESOL and world language professional educators, including theories of learning and language acquisition, best practices in language assessment, design of thematic units and lesson plans for language teaching, state and national standards (Georgia, WIDA, and ACTFL), and technology standards for learners and teachers (ISTE and Georgia).

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will complete an additional research paper on one theory of learning and/or language acquisition of their choice. The paper will be required to address applications of that theory to ESOL or world-language teaching and learning.


Athena Title

Intro to Language Teaching


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in LLED 5530E or LLED 7530E


Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 1. Discuss, compare, and contrast multiple theories of language teaching and learning 2. Write clear, observable, and assessable course, unit, and lesson objectives and sub-objectives for language teaching and learning 3. Effectively scaffold language teaching 4. Design differentiated lesson plans and activities for language teaching and learning 5. Use backwards design and universal design in the creation of curricula for language teaching and learning 6. Incorporate National and Georgia standards into their design and application of language teaching and learning courses, units, objectives, and activities


Topical Outline

The following will be addressed in the context of Language Education: 1. Theories of Language Acquisition 2. Understanding by Design and Backwards Design (units, lessons) 3. National, Georgia, and Technology Standards and Their Implementation and Utility 4. Scaffolding 5. Differentiation 6. Writing Objectives and Sub-objectives