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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of English Language & Applied Linguistics)

Dear Student,

We welcome you to our Diploma in TEFL programme. This programme is basically


developed to give you understanding of sociolinguistics, language variation etc and to
train you in various teaching methodologies, both of which are important as well as the
weak areas of all second language learners. You might notice that a great deal of the
course material intends at improving your own skills in these two areas and at the same
time acquaint you with the latest trends and strategies for handling these skills in the
classroom.

Following the assignment schedule, you have to submit four assignments for each course.
The first three assignments are theory based whereas the fourth assignment is a research
based project.

NOTE: Remember that it is compulsory to attend at least 12 classes out of the total 18
classes. Similarly you are required to pass written report as well as oral presentations of
the fourth assignment. Students failing to attend the minimum required classes and pass /
complete either of the components of 4th assignment will be declared fail even if they
have passed the final written examination.

Your study package for course 551 should include:

1. Textbook (Block A & B))


2. Supplementary reading material - Reader
3. Four assignments
4. Twelve assignment forms.

(Note: Schedule for tutorials and assignments will be sent by the regional office
concerned)

In case any item is missing please contact The Mailing Section, Allama Iqbal Open
University, Sector H-8, Islamabad

We hope you will enjoy and benefit from the course.

Wishing you best of luck.

Course Coordinator

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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
(Department of English Language & Applied Linguistics)

WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING
THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD
OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM
OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN
“AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.

ASSIGNMENT No. 1
(Units 1–6)
Course: Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics (551) Semester: Spring, 2010
Level: Diploma TEFL Total Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 40
Q.1 What is language and what are the characteristics and functions of language? (20)
Q.2 What language theory is offered by BF Skinner and how it is different from the
other theories offered by other linguists? (20)
Q.3 What are different languages learning methods and what do you think is the best
method to use in a language classroom. Device three activities by using that
method in the classroom. (20)
Q.4 What are some of the pre-requisites for writing a good essay? Discuss them in detail and
then write an essay on any topic of your choice following all pre-requisites. (20)
Q.5 Keeping in mind the four stages of teaching/learning, plan a lesson of an hour to
teach the difference between simple present and simple past tense. (20)

ASSIGNMENT No. 2
(Units: 7–13)
Q.1: Write short notes on the following topics: 10
1.Silent reading.
2.Competence and performance.
Q.2 What do you understand by the terms Sociology of language and Sociolinguistics?
Is there any difference between these two terms? How they are important in
studying the language of particular class of people. (20)
Q.3 Language variation is perhaps the most frequently occurring phenomenon of
language? Explain and discuss what language variation is? And give real life
examples. (10)
Q.4 (a) What is the difference between technique, method and approach? (20)
(b) What is the difference between register and style? Give examples.

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Q.5 Language and culture are linked with each other. Discuss in detail how culture is
reflected through language. (20)
Q.6 What are the qualities of good teacher? What are the different roles he/she
performs in a foreign language classroom? (10)
Q.7 Write a short note on communicative and non-communicative use of language?
(10)

ASSIGNMENT No. 3
(Units: 14–18)
Q.1 What are the relationships between these? Give suitable examples. (20)
i. Linguistic and non-linguistic communication.
ii. Language and Identity
Q.2 What do you understand by the terms bilingualism and multilingualism? Explain in
detail by giving sufficient examples from Pakistani context. (20)
Q.3 (a) Is code -switching a form of language variation? If yes, then explain with
examples. (20)
(b) Examine code-switching within a local context that is between Urdu and
English to explain what are reasons of promotion of code switching in
Pakistan.
Q.5 What is the status of English Language teaching in Pakistan? (20)
Q.6 Write a detailed note on the Indo-European family of languages? (20)

ASSIGNMENT No. 4
(Presentation)

This assignment is based on research oriented activity. The students are required to carry
out the research and prepare the brief report on their findings in one of the areas given
below. They will submit the report to the tutor within the scheduled period. Then have to
present the same in the course/assignment presentation workshop (the schedule of the
course/assignment presentation workshop will be intimated by the tutor concerned or
Regional office). The compulsory presentation carries 100 marks; 40 marks for the
written report/assignment and 60 for the oral presentation.
Select any one of the following topics for research report.
1. What is the importance of reading skills for EFL learner? How would you as an
English Language teacher practice this skill with the EFL beginners? Take any
class of EFL beginners and arrange a pre test for them, after the pre-test, teach
reading skills to the students through at least 10 activities within a week and finally
take post test of the students to find out what improvements they gained. Please
attach all the evidence of pre-tests, activities and post test with the project report.

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2. What is the difference between first language acquisition and second language
learning? Observe two children of secondary level in their English language
classroom for a week and note down in your diary or observation sheet:
a. How they are learning second language.
b. What similarities are their in acquisition of first language and learning of
second language?
c. What are the factors which are hindrance in the way of their learning of
second language?
3. In Pakistan English language teachers face so many problems while teaching English
to the students from the rural background. What could be cause? And how this
problem can be solved. Take any institute, take interviews from the teachers (5-6)
and some class observations (2-3 classes) and note down the causes/reasons and
finally come up with some remedies. Please attach all the evidence of interviews
and observations with the project report.
4. Language and culture are interlinked phenomenon. In Pakistan where the national
language is Urdu but there are other regional languages which are spoken in the
country like Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Blochi etc. If you are speaker of any of the
regional language or national language of Pakistan, take your language and discuss
how it relates to the culture around by giving real life examples. (Give introduction,
some theatrical background (from the course book), list all the examples you found
during the observation with time and date and finally a brief report of what you
have seen and observed around you. Make sure that you attach the evidence of
observation with the project report).
5. Code switching is a very important term which is related to bilingualism. In
Pakistan code switching has become so common between Urdu and English. Even
in the English language classrooms, teachers code switch between these two
languages. Your task is to observe an adult English language classroom (5-6 hours)
and note down the code switching done by the teachers (either in a form of
observation sheet or diary) and finally to come up with the reasons of their use of
code switching in the classrooms. Please note that you have to attach the evidence
of observation with the project report.
6. What English is used in Pakistan? Is this some variety of Standard English? How
far does this variety of Standard English conform to international standards. Take
3-4 articles from Pakistani English newspapers and analyze the difference between
the standard English and the English used in the newspaper articles. Discuss in
detail your observations, understanding and also attach the articles with the project
report.
Here is a brief outline for your guidance.

Introduction
What is the variety?
What type of spoken English is used in Pakistan?
What type of Written English is used in Pakistan?
Detailed analysis of the articles and the English used in them
Argumentation based on the observation and the Standard English

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Findings

project
report.

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