Final exam information

Final exam ELIMA

Compulsory background reading

You are expected to have read thoroughly at least one of the basic EFL methodology publications:

  • Harmer J. (2007/2015). The practice of English language teaching. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited
  • Scrivener, J. (1994/2005/2011) Learning Teaching. Macmillan Heinemann.
  • Ur, P. (1996/1999/2012). A course in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

The alternative dates indicate the different editions available in the SEAS Library.

The reason for asking you to read (or re-read) one of these books is to give you a chance to review your experience in the light of what you read. The examiners will be interested to hear about the basic principles described in the literature, as well as your views on these principles with regard to your teaching experiences in connection with the main exam topics.

Exam Procedure

Thesis defence

The exam starts with the the defence of the thesis based on the referee’s report. You are expected to briefly summarise your thesis then answer any questions the examiners may have.

Methodology component

You will be asked to draw one of the 13 topics (tétel). The examiner will then ask you specific questions or invite you to reflect on principles, concepts and practice.

Topic Subtopics
1. Learning and teaching
  • Learner types, learning styles
  • Teacher roles and responsibilities
  • The teacher as a facilitator, etc.
  • The native and non-native teacher
2. The communicative approach
  • Principles, methods, techniques
  • Communicative activities
  • Integrating skills
3. Classroom management
  • Classroom interactions
  • Giving instructions, discipline problems
  • Seating arrangement
  • Group dynamics
4. Current issues in language teaching
  • Competence development
  • The intercultural dimension of language teaching
  • Collaborative, cooperative learning, project work
  • ICT in language teaching and learning
5. Teaching listening skills 
  • Listening sub-skills
  • Staging a listening activity
  • Authentic texts 
6. Teaching reading skills 
  • Authentic reading texts
  • Reading sub-skills
  • Staging a reading task 
7. Teaching speaking skills
  • Communicative vs. non-communicative tasks
  • Developing fluency vs. accuracy
  • Teaching pronunciation 
8. Teaching writing skills 
  • Word, sentence and paragraph level writing
  • Process vs. product writing
9. Teaching structures and functions 
  • Techniques of presentation
  • Techniques of practice and integration 
10. Evaluation and assessment 
  • Giving feedback
  • Error correction
  • Language testing
  • Alternative (formative, continuous) assessment 
11. Teaching vocabulary and related skills 
  • Techniques of presentation
  • Recycling, testing, etc. 
12.  Teaching young learners 
  • Special features
  • Examples of teaching skills 
13. Course and lesson planning 
  • Planning lessons
  • Curriculum and syllabus
  • Evaluating coursebooks and other EFL materials