A)
INTRODUCTION – THE IMPORTANCE OF A WELL DESIGNED PROGRAMME
“We cannot teach a language, we can only create the suitable conditions under which people
learn it.” Von Humbolt, 1836.
Designing a syllabus for teaching English is an important task as it is the base for a whole years
teaching and learning.
This syllabus sequences the objectives and contents which are to be achieved and proposes the
methodology and activities that will be used in order for students to reach these objectives and gain a
mastery of the contents. It also sets out the evaluation criteria which students are expected to meet.
This is all done by first taking into account the legal base established for this level in the region and most
importantly the group and individual students for whom the syllabus is designed.
The syllabus provides a common plan and reference that allows both the teacher and the students to
focus more on the course content and process and less on the course mechanics. It reduces time
wasting and maximizes the learning experience.
Finally, it structures students’ active involvement in the learning process and establishes the way in
which the class is to be conducted in order to meet students’ diverse needs, interests and purposes. It
gives students the best chance to learn and to demonstrate what they know.
B) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
It is not an exaggeration to claim that English is the lingua franca today, which explains why the current
job market asks for oral proficiency in English.
There are three main reasons for studying English: First and foremost, it makes an enormous
contribution both to the fostering of a well-rounded personality and to social integration. Secondly,
knowledge of foreign languages is regarded to be essential in modern society, owing to their increasing
use in international relationships. Thirdly, speaking English increases the possibilities of working abroad
or with other countries, and makes access to the media and new technologies effective and possible.
Furthermore, knowledge of foreign languages is considered a necessity to enable the free movement of
people within the European Union and to promote the creation of cultural, economic and technical ties
between the European countries. Indeed, the Council of Europe has proposed some suggestions for
foreign language teaching and learning as a result of the political importance given to the learning of
foreign languages.
C) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
"A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get
there" H. Stanley Judd
A school is a society for learning and the achievement of this aim largely depends on its success in
the planning and organisation of the various processes which take place in such a society.
Designing a programme for teaching English is an important task as it is the base for a whole year's
teaching and learning. This programme is based on the current laws in force in Extremadura and
sequences the objectives and contents which are to be achieved and proposes the methodology,
activities and materials that will be used in order for students to reach these objectives and gain a
mastery of the contents. It also sets out the evaluation criteria which students are expected to meet.
This Didactic Programme has been designed taking into account the following properties:
adaptation (it takes into account the concrete context where it will be developed), precision (it states in
detail a plan to be carried out in the classroom, feasibility (everything we have planned can be carried
out), flexibility (it can and must be revised and assessed when any problem is detected or the situation
requires a modification).
D) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The aim of the programme: The aim is to prepare students linguistically, psychologically and culturally for
language learning, developing sensitivity to and awareness of foreign languages and cultures. The
teacher must create an appetite to learn for learning’s sake and motivate students to learn English in an
interesting and fun way. Furthermore, they should help students to understand why it is important to
learn a language and acquire a respectful attitude towards other languages, their speakers and their
culture. Learning languages in this way is much more likely to be successful than analysing language in
isolation. Students are encouraged to develop the necessary skills to achieve communicative
competence and therefore know not just about the language but how to use language in real situations.
