As I re-read the materials from the first three EAL courses, I made note of the following key ideas that I thought were important:
-the principles of adult learning (autonomous, self-directed, goal-oriented, practical, relevancy-oriented)
-the various types of language competence (grammatical, discourse, functional, socio-cultural and strategic)
-the concept of comprehensible input and the zone of proximal development
-the different teaching and learning styles and their affect on students’ ability to learn
-balancing teacher-centered and learner-centered instruction
-characteristics of communicative activities and lessons
-inclusion of authenticity in lessons
-the inclusion of task-based learning
-the effects schematic knowledge and language knowledge have on comprehension
-including a balance of activities in lessons that foster accuracy and fluency
-the role of a needs assessment
-including self-assessment, formal and informal assessment throughout a course
-including the Elements of Flow in lesson planning
-including grammar instruction in lessons
-using deductive and inductive approaches when teaching grammar
