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?

We believe and know a syllabus is an important tool for teachers to explain course
objectives and procedures efficiently. However, what do students really think about the
syllabus? Through this survey, I hope I can offer some 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 more. I surveyed twenty students in an EIL intermediate
writing class.
0
5
10
15
20
Yes No
Do you know
what a
syllabus is?
Do teachers
in your home
country give
students
syllabi?

All EIL students know what the syllabus is; however, most students said teachers in their home
country do not give a syllabus to them.


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

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
None Half All
How much of
your EIL syllabus
do you
understand?

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


What is the first thing you look at in the syllabus?

The grading scale is the first thing that the students look at when they get the syllabus.



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.

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1 2 3 4 5
Do you think
the syllabus
helps you to
reach the
course
objectives?
How useful is
your syllabus?
Question 6
Teacher's
information
assignments
Grading scale
Other
Question 7
Course objectives
Schedule
Grading scale
Explaination of the
assignments



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


0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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?