Designing a Speaking-Oriented Elective Course within the Action-Oriented Approach for 9th Grade Students at Tallinn Mustamäe Humanitarian Gymnasium: Course Syllabus and Scenario-Based Module

Abstract

This thesis presents a design proposal for a Year 9 elective course, Speaking in English, in an Estonian lower-secondary context. Grounded in the Action-Oriented Approach and CEFR-oriented perspectives, the course is organised into scenario-based sequences that treat learners as social agents and provide repeated cycles of preparation, performance, feedback and reflection. The main design outputs include a course overview with aligned learning outcomes and a detailed four-lesson module, Planning a Class Event, supported by teacher notes, student materials and an assessment package. Assessment is primarily formative and criteria-referenced within a pass/fail framework. The thesis does not include piloting; instead, it offers an implementable, theory-based course design. Keywords: Action-Oriented Approach; CEFR; speaking skills; scenario-based learning; elective course design