Environment analysis

Environment analysis

1. it is also called

   • situation or constraint analysis
     • it finds
       • factors from teachers, learners and teaching and learning situation
         • The importance of these factors depends on
           • if the course will be a good course even if the factor is removed
           • duration and level of its negative impact
         • Environment constraint
           • take into account
             • institutional and government policies regarding the target of the user of language
               • to figure out if the language is important or relevant for the country
             • If the student will have the opportunity to speak the language outside the classroom
           • main constraints
             • time available, cultural background, class size, the effect of the language to be taught

2. It impacts

   • course goals, what and how to teach, assessment

3. It determines

   • If the course will or wont be usable

4. Implications

   • The language setting, patters of language use in society, political and national context, group and individual attitudes, the language setting, teacher and student background, main purpose of course, students motivation, class size, location of the course program, strategy to be used.

5. Steps of environmental analysis:

   • • 1 Brainstorm the environmental factors that will impact the course flow and goals
   • • 2Choose the 5 most important factors and prioritize them
   • 3.• Investigate the environment or research theory to take actions with the constraint.
   • 4.• Consider the effect of the factor on the course design.
   • 5.• Review the whole process.

6. Understanding constraints

   • Example: constraint of time
     • 1 observe local environment
     • 2.looking at previous research about how long would a person learn a second language depending on background and the language to be learned
     • 3.• Considering the effect of the constraint on the design of the course
       • as curriculum designers we have two options
         • To overcome the constraint
         • to work within the time constraint
           • The goals of the course have to be limited and fit the available time