MEDD6702 Language Awareness: Grammar and Lexis (Master Class)

This core module in the MEd (English Language Education) Year 1 curriculum focuses on the interface between teachers’ knowledge about language (specifically grammar and lexis) and their pedagogical practice. It is concerned with descriptions of English grammar and lexis and their close interrelationship. Rather than attempting an overview of English grammar and lexis, the module highlights certain key areas for in-depth exploration.

Purpose of this Session

This session is the third in the “Grammar and Pedagogy” series and has “modality” as the theme. At the session, participants examine the forms and functions of modal verbs and other types of modality, and the implications behind this knowledge for classroom practice. With an enhanced understanding about modality, they take an in-depth and critical look at transcribed interactions between an English teacher and students taken from an authentic English lesson on modality. Through the analysis, participants sharpen their teacher language awareness (TLA) and reflect on their own pedagogic practices.

Biography of the Teacher

Nicole Tavares is a Senior Lecturer in the academic unit of Teacher Education and Learning Leadership at the Faculty of Education of The University of Hong Kong. She teaches on the BA&BEd(LangEd), PGDE, MEd(ELE), MEd(CLIL) and MA(TESOL) programmes. Nicole sees students at the heart of her teaching, enjoys being with them and often feels inspired by them. She is keen on experimenting with different pedagogies, trying out new approaches and discovering which of these work best in each context. Her main areas of expertise are in English language teaching methodology, content and language integrated learning (CLIL), 21st century skills development, interactive assessment, mistake-management, and collaborative learning. She holds multiple teaching awards, with the most recent ones being the 2019-2020 Emergency Remote Teaching Award presented by her Faculty and the HKU 2019-2020 Teaching Innovation Award.