introducing a negotiated syllabus

Introducing a Negotiated Syllabus | Jonathan Clifton | August 22nd, 2000

I am just about to start my CSD assignment looking at the possibilities of introducing a negotiated syllabus into some of my courses.

Has anybody done this in a systematic way? If so, what were the results?

Looking at the plus side it should lead to more motivation and a course that more truly represents the learners needs. But on the negative side, maybe the students could interpret it as a weakness on the teachers' part and maybe it will just involve too much work in order to constantly adapt material to students needs.

Anyway, those are just one or two of the possible advantages and disadvantages as I see it at the moment but has anyone "lived " through such a course - what advice could you give me trying to set up a course like this.

Best

Jonathan

Introducing a Negotiated Syllabus | Francesca | August 23rd, 2000

Jonathan,

I think I already wrote to you about how I negotiate the syllabus with my groups of teachers so I'll try not to cover the same ground here. You asked for tips.

Firstly, students may like the idea (especially if you explain the rationale / benefits to them in advance) but need some guidance. I would try with a higher-level group or one you have been with for some time first. ESP groups are also particularly appropriate as they have specific, shared needs. Learners often base requests on past experience, for example: 'I'd like to watch a film, like we did last semester' or 'could we study more phrasal verbs?' So those who have more experience of language learning or your teaching will have a better idea of things to request.

Another way of guiding is by giving students lists of possibilities (activities or language/skills areas to select from) and then encouraging them to add anything they feel is missing. Personally, I ask my teachers to write their requests on separate slips of paper individually and then put them in order as a group depending on which thing they'd like to study first, second etc If students disagree on what they'd like to study, I try to mediate and cover everyone's requests in some way. I also ask questions about their requests, normally to make them more specific, for example: In response to the request 'I'd like to study pronunciation' I'd ask 'What do you find especially difficult?' 'Would you like to study word stress? The phonemic chart?' etc.

Finally I type up the completed syllabus and distribute it next class so students know what's coming up and what they've missed if they are absent. Even so, I encourage them to continue making requests during the semester as well and may change things slightly as a result.

Yes, it is a lot of work, so I recommend starting it with only one group. With time, I've found students request the same things and I already have a lot of material prepared to select from. Students have only given me positive feedback and they don't see it as a weakness on the teacher's part - far from it, they appreciate the extra work you're putting in to do just what they want.

Good luck and tell us what happens,

Francesca

Introducing a Negotiated Syllabus | Jonathan Clifton | August 24th, 2000

Hi Francesca,

Thanks for your advice on negotiating the syllabus with the students. I forgot to say on my first email that one of the things that I will also be trying to do is to renegotiate the syllabus as the course progresses - say after every 5 lessons. In the past I think I have sometimes started off well and then for one reasons or another lost steam and lost track of the students needs. So the idea is to set up a framework whereby we discuss the course so far and together decide what to do in the following 5 lessons. Most of the reading I have done so far tends to be in favour of such a negotiated syllabus but I have never negotiated syllabus in more than an ad hoc kind of way before. So anyway, here is my chance to try out something new.

By the way, how is your MET assignment getting on? I'd be interested to hear your findings.

Best

Jonathan

 

Archive Categories