Module 3: Lesson 3 - Syllabus

Question 1

What is a syllabus?

Answer 1

A syllabus can be defined as the outline of language, materials, and resources to be taught to a class over a particular course.

It explains to the students and the teacher the subject content of the course and what order it will be taught in.

Question 2

What are the 5 categories a syllabus could be broken into?

Answer 2

• Structural syllabus: used to teach grammar. It organizes the grammatical structures based on complexity, which can be very helpful in teaching grammar, verb tenses, or parts of speech.
• Situational or formal syllabus: addresses the shortcomings of the structural syllabus. However, it does not have a strong linguistic basis.
  It aims to provide the student with the best language to help them in real-life situations. Its goal is to concentrate on the needs of the students outside the classroom and give them the right language to handle those situations.
• Functional or notional syllabus: Language teaching is a collection of many functions that are performed when language is used, or of the notions that language is used to express. It is organized by the functions of expression.
• Skills-based syllabus: a collection of specific abilities that play a part in using language. People use skills to be competent in a language, independent of the situation or setting where the language is used. The purpose of a skills-based syllabus is to learn a specific language skill and to develop competency in the language.
• Mixed syllabus: the most popular type of syllabus. It is a combination of the other syllabi and it allows each lesson to be focused on a different aspect of learning. It can borrow from any of the other syllabi in a way that best meets the needs of the student.

Question 3

Features of a well-designed syllabus.

Answer 3

• It includes very good, clear, and measurable objectives.
• It reflects on students’ needs and is realistic about what is achievable.
• A syllabus needs variety. This means focusing on all skills and systems, language areas, functions, tasks, materials, input, and output.
• It is flexible, informative, and detailed.
• It allows space for adaptation or deviation from the initial syllabus, while considering other curriculum factors (such as government or exam requirements).
• Syllabus content: Examples include the lesson and unit title, test schedules, textbook chapters, what skill it teaches, and the lesson content (e.g. adjectives of comparison).

Question 4

What information should appear on a course syllabus plan?

Answer 4

• Course information
• Learning outcomes
• Discussion or lesson introduction
• Skills
• Grammar & vocabulary
• Functions
• Practical work
• Lesson number