126230 VK MEd 01A/B: VK Specific Issues in Language Learning and Teaching (2025S)

Learners of English increasingly use the language with the purpose of entertainment, such as engaging in social media content, viewing series and movies, reading (e-)books, writing fanfiction, and playing online video games. Various terms have been introduced to address out-of-class language use, including extramural English (EE) (Sundqvist & Sylven, 2016), referring to learners’ self-directed use of English in recreational activities, with learning happening as a by-product. While informal language use offers opportunities for language learning, it may also pose challenges for formal English education. This highlights the importance of exploring how instruction can positively interact with EE (e.g., EE-sensitive instruction; Schwarz, 2020; Schurz & Sundqvist, 2022).

This course aims to enhance student teachers’ awareness of the diverse nature of EE activities learners may engage in, their potential effects on different areas of language learning, and the need to consider these aspects in instruction. The course provides student teachers with theoretical and evidence-based knowledge on learner needs arising out of EE use and equips them with tools to develop teaching material effectively bridging the gap between informal language use and formal education. To cover these contents, teacher input will be combined with group, pair, and individual work, including weekly readings and discussions, an online exchange with student teachers abroad, and the development and presentation of teaching material.