1. Universidad Autonóma de Chiapas
Escuela de Lenguas Tuxtla
Licenciatura en la Enseñanza del Inglés
Diseño de Programas de Inglés como Lengua Extranjera
7th semester
Lizbeth de la Cruz & Sandra Toledo

2. Skill is a specific way
that combines structural
and functional ability
but exits independently
or specific settings or
situations.

3. FOUR SKILLS
They are channels or modes for using and
understanding the language
Writin
g
Reading
 They are called the macro skills of language

4. It involves learning the sub-skills
that enable one to be proficient in
each skill.
skill based syllabus:
When one or more of the four
skills is the organizing principle
for a syllabus it means that the
emphasis is on learning the skill
itself, as distinct from using the
skill for another purpose.
Skill based instruction is also

5.  The ability to use language in specific
ways (settings and registers) is
partially dependent on general
language ability and based on
experience and the need for specific
skills

6.  Skill-based syllabi have been used in language
for specific purposes (LSP)
 Skill- or competency-based syllabi are also
becoming widely used in adult education ESL
programs, especially programs for emigrants
and refugees.

7. One example of skill-based syllabus is used in advanced-level reading course
for students preparing for higher education:
 Guessing vocabulary from  Restatement of
context informational content
 Scanning of non-prose  More inference work
material  More affix work
 Reading for the main idea  More restatement
 Using affixes as clues to  More inference
meaning  Analysis of paragraph
 Inferencing structure
 More scanning of non-  More affix work
prose material  Critical reading skills
 Summarizing readings  Using context clues
 More work on affixes  Using expectations
 Dictionary work

8. ADVANTAGES OF SKILL BASED SYLLABI
It is useful when learners need to master specific
types of language uses.
It is possible to predict at least what the students
will need.
Relevance to student felt needs or wants.
Because learners who know what they need to do
with the language generally show great
acceptance of instruction that is clearly directed
toward their goals

9. DISADVANTAGES OF SKILL BASED SYLLABI
The degree to which ability to perform specific tasks in a
language is dependent on or independent of overall
language proficiency.
It can be argued that teaching specific skills also
addresses general language proficiency.
The more specialized and narrowly defined the
instruction. The more unlikely it is to enhance overall
proficiency.

10. APPLICATIONS
 It is most appropriate when learners need
specific skills.
 Skill based instruction is probably more
appropriate for adults than for children.
 Children may need a combination of skill
and content work to help develop their
cognitive and academic language ability.
 Skill based instruction is not appropriate,
in large amounts.

11. References
 Graves K. (2000) Designing Language Courses: A
Guide for Teachers. Heinle & Heinle. USA.
 Krahnke, K.(1987) Approaches to syllabus design for
foreign language teaching. Prentice-Hall.USA.
 Richards, J. (2006) Communicative Language
Teaching Today. CUP. UK.
 Content of Thesis (2011, September) A skill-based
syllabus Retrieved September 25, 2012, from
http://es.scribd.com/doc/65469673/7/A-skill-based-
syllabus