Language Curriculum Analysis

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Principles of language curriculum development

The history of curriculum development in language teaching really commenced in the 1960s even though issues of syllabus design emerged much earlier standing as a major factor in language teaching (Richards, 2001). Richards, quoting from Rodgers (1989) comments that four fundamental questions must be answered in developing any curriculum and plan of instruction:
- Aims and objectives
- Content (which is related to syllabus design)
- Organization, and
- Evaluation
Discussing the use of these principles, Richards adds that the view of curriculum development processes has been widely adopted in language teaching from the 1980s. As Hadley (2003) states, "because curriculum planning …show more content…

A more straightforward way of looking at this kind of multi-component syllabus is to see it in terms of a merging of two broad approaches. One of these is concerned with a view of language in use, and includes categories of function, context and language skill. The other is a version of a more formal linguistic syllabus, which comprises elements of grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. Obviously these two approaches are not mutually exclusive: pronunciation and vocabulary, for instance, can both be practiced in a context of use, or alternatively can be rehearsed in isolation (P. 39). A curriculum usually contains a statement of aims and of specific objectives; it indicates some selection and organization of content; it either implies or manifests certain patterns of learning and teaching, whether because …show more content…

Vicentini contextualizes her report within efforts to establish a European educational system that, while preserving national cultural identities, would support harmonization of existing systems across the continent. Italian curriculum reform has also been stimulated by the problems of underachieving and alienated students. Among the curricular issues that have surfaced include: (a) student workload, (b) the importance of English as a second language, (c) the organization of textbooks, (d) issues concerning the disciplines to be taught, and (e) the importance of computer literacy. Additionally, multicultural education is an important curricular issue, intensified by the recent arrival of many immigrants to Italy. Vicentini concludes that “the debate is actually quite heated and one has the feeling that it is driven more by the interests of the different sectors of the University staff than by a real interest in preparing better teachers for the schools of the future. Let us hope for the best” (p. 389) Also the “Main Trends in Curriculum Research in Mexico, Barriga (2003) reports,

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