ESL students views on syllabus Design

Formatted by: (Your Name) Are syllabi really the nuts & bolts of courses, or just another handout from a teacher?

Question 6
Teacher's information assignments Grading scale Other

We believe and know a syllabus is an important tool What is the first thing you look at in the syllabus? for teachers to explain course objectives and procedures efficiently. However, what do students really think about the The grading scale is the first thing that the students look at syllabus? Through this survey, I hope I can offer some when they get the syllabus. thoughtful ideas and information that we as teachers can consider in making the syllabus more practical. And I hope that this information can help us to understand our students Question 7 more. I surveyed twenty students in an EIL intermediate Course objectives writing class.
Schedule

20 15 10 5 0 Yes No All EIL students know what the syllabus is; however, most students said teachers in their home country do not give a syllabus to them.
15 10 5 0 None Half All
How much of your EIL syllabus do you understand?

Grading scale

Do you know what a syllabus is? Do teachers in your home country give students syllabi?

Explaination of the assignments

What is the most important element of the syllabus in your opinion? Even though the students look at the grading scale first, they think all elements of the syllabus are fairly important to them.

9 8

7
6 5 4 3 2 1 0 No

Do your EIL teachers follow the syllabus? (Schedule, Course objectives, Grade scale) How often do you refer back to your syllabus during the semester?

Generally our EIL students understand the syllabus, but some do not understand it fully.

10

8
6 4 2 0 1 2 3 4 5

Do you think the syllabus helps you to reach the course How useful objectives? is your syllabus?

The students think the teacher follows her syllabus and the students sometimes refer back to their syllabus during the course. Through this survey I conclude most EIL students are aware of the syllabus and rely on it. The syllabus is a method for teachers to communicate the objectives and other information about the course to the students. Moreover it acts as a stimulus to operate the class effectively. A good syllabus can direct students to know the teachers expectations for the course and reduces misunderstandings. Therefore, the primary role of an efficient syllabus is to be the nuts and bolts of the course.
Used by Permission 2007

Most students said the syllabus is useful and guides them to reach their course objectives.