LING 475/575: Curriculum Design and Materials Development
This course is designed to introduce you to the basic principles of curriculum design and materials
development. The focus is on ESL/EFL students and programs, applicable to a variety of ages and levels.
Each student in this class will identify a particular group of students or context to focus on. Since this is
the first time for me to offer this class at PSU, it will most likely evolve from a general outline given in the
first week, based on your needs and feedback. The class readings, activities, and assignments will be
designed to assist you developing a general understanding of both theoretical and practical issues in
curriculum design and materials development, as well as for developing a more specific understanding in
relation to your target group/context.
The topics that will form the general outline to begin with are:
definitions of curriculum and materials; needs analysis; goals and objectives formulation; developing,
adapting, and evaluating materials, and planning activities.
By the end of this course, it is expected that you will be able to:
• Have an understanding of the current options in ESL/EFL curriculum design
• Conduct a needs analysis for a group of ESL/EFL learners
• Develop a curriculum with syllabus, lesson plans, and materials for ESL/EFL learners
• Evaluate and modify existing materials for your curriculum
