2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials writing IATEFL Sandy Millin.pptx

http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024

Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.

Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.

This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.

1. Introducing a competency framework for language learning materials writing Sandy Millin IATEFL webinar 1 st June 2024 http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024 [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandymillin/

2. My definition of language learning materials electronic or paper-based resources with a pedagogic purpose, designed to be used by teachers and learners to facilitate language learning, either teacher-written, published or learner-created

3. Have you ever created materials for language learning? ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

4. Have you ever had feedback on your materials? ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

5. My definition of a competency a characteristic that is required for effective performance in a job, which can be observed in the real world, measured against accepted standards, and improved via training and development

6. Why do we need support and training in language learning materials writing?

7. Clandfield and Hughes, 2017: 6 All English language teachers need to create their own materials at some stage in their working lives.

8. Richards (2001, cited in Mishan and Timmis , 2015: 6) Instructional materials generally serve as the basis for much of the language input learners receive and the language practice that occurs in the classroom

9. And published materials… …develop our teaching (S. Hughes, 2022) …influence teachers and learners (Burton, 2022: 78) … support teacher development of language awareness (Andrews, 2007: 107) …are something which teachers and learners can become subservient to (Graves, 2019: 338)

10. Have you ever had any training or input about how to improve your materials for language learning? ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

11. MAPDLE: MA in Professional Development in Language Education

12. My definition of a competency framework a collection of competencies required for effective performance in a job, which can be used by those connected to that job to assess current abilities, identify gaps, and plan future professional development

13. Compiling the framework

14. Competency frameworks for teachers

15. British Council CPD Framework https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/resource-books/british-council-cpd-framework

16. Cambridge English Teaching Framework https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/professional-development/cambridge-english-teaching-framework/

17. European Profiling Grid (EPG) https://egrid.epg-project.eu/

18. English Australia CPD Framework https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/professional-development/cpd-framework

19. Competency frameworks for teacher trainers / educators

20. British Council CPD Framework for teacher educators https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/resource-books/cpd-framework-teacher-educators

21. Cambridge English Trainer Framework https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/professional-development/cambridge-english-trainer-framework/

22. Competency framework for academic managers

23. The Eaquals Academic Management Competency Framework (AMCF) https://www.eaquals.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Eaquals-Framework-for-Language-Teacher-Training-and-Development-Online.pdf

24. Competency frameworks for materials writers

25. CPD for materials writers: in search of a framework Denise Santos, IATEFL Belfast 2022 https://sandymillin.wordpress.com/2022/05/18/iatefl-belfast-2022-cpd-for-materials-writers-in-search-of-a-framework-denise-santos/

26. A competency framework for language learning materials writing Feedback to [email protected] please! Version 1.0 October 2023

27. What would you include? What do you think are the competencies needed to write effective materials for language learning?

28. Compiling the framework

29. 1 Background knowledge 2 Creating materials 3 Professional skills

30. 1. Background knowledge

31. 1.2 Understanding language

32. 2. Creating materials

33. 3. Professional skills

34. But how do you use it?

35. Choosing areas for your own CPD Choose an area you’re interested in Choose a competency to focus on Talk to colleagues to learn about how they do it Conduct related action research Look for information and training to fill the gap Using the framework as a teacher

36. Creating a training course on producing better quality materials Possible areas to focus on a course: Understanding individual learners (1.1 A) Understanding skills (1.2 B-F) Activity design (2.2) Sequencing materials (2.3) Providing variety and balance (2.4) Clarity & Checking their work (3.1 A and B) Using the framework as a trainer

37. Using the framework as a publisher or manager Putting together a materials development team Use the framework to decide which competencies are most important in your team Ask potential members to audit their knowledge, skills and abilities against this list of competencies Use the audit to select team members Look for training for existing team members or recruit new members to fill gaps

38. Identify competencies you are already confident in / you have expertise in – how could you support others in these areas? Identify competencies you would like to improve in – how could you do this? (See ideas on the next slide!) Identify competencies you think it would be useful to train others in – what form might this training take? How could you use it?

39. Sources of development A course by John Hughes and Kath Bilsborough

40. Any questions?

41. References Framework links are on relevant slides Andrews, S. (2007). Teacher language awareness . Cambridge University Press Burton, G. (2022). ‘Selecting language for materials writing.’ In J. Norton & H. Buchanan (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Materials Development for Language Teaching (pp. 78–92). Routledge Clandfield, L., & Hughes, J. (2017). ETpedia : Materials Writing - 500 ideas for creating English language materials . Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd Graves, K. (2019). ‘Recent books on language materials development and analysis.’ ELT Journal, 73(3), 337–354. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccz026 Hughes, S. H. (2022). ‘Coursebook materials as a tool for professional development: A perspective from publishing.’ In J. Norton & H. Buchanan (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Materials Development for Language Teaching (pp. 488–510). Routledge Mishan , F., & Timmis , I. (2015). Materials development for TESOL . Edinburgh University Press

42. Introducing a competency framework for language learning materials writing Sandy Millin IATEFL webinar 1 st June 2024 http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024 [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandymillin/