Module overview
This unit will introduce you to the main areas relevant to applied language studies.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Language acquisition and the principles underlying it;
- Draw on your understanding of language acquisition and language processing in order to explore the relationship between language and the human mind and brain
- Language politics and language policy;
- Language in an educational context
- Language variation and language varieties;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply sophisticated analytical tools to the investigation of a problem,
- Understand the relationship between theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence;
- Synthesise evidence from a range of sources in order to present a coherent argument;
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Analyse language data from a range of perspectives;
- Understand and analyse language acquisition data
- Understand and analyse language variation;
- Apply analytical linguistic tools and concepts to the analysis of the topics studied;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Language in its geographical, social, historical and political context;
- Link empirical evidence to the formulation of linguistic theories;
Syllabus
Sociolinguistics (weeks 1-3)
- Micro-sociolinguistics: language variation; dialectology; register; language change
- Macro-sociolinguistics: language in contact; multilingualism; language policy; language and power
Psycholinguistics (weeks 4-7)
- Language acquisition: first and second language acquisition; bilingualism
- Language processing: language comprehension and production
Applied Linguistics (weeks 8-10)
- What is Applied Linguistics?
- The role of linguistics in education
- Translation and intercultural communication
Weeks 11-12: Practical seminars using empirical data
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Interactive Lectures;
- Seminar group presentations;
- Group discussion in seminars.
Learning activities include
- Organisation of material and own ideas for oral presentation;
- Developing own interpretation of theoretical texts and concepts;
- Debating ideas in class
- Independent study.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 126 |
Teaching | 24 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Fromkin, V. Rodman, R. & Hyams, N. (2003). An Introduction to language.. Thomson & Heinle..
Cook, G. (2003). Applied Linguistics. Oxford University Press..
Holmes, J. (2001). An introduction to Sociolinguistics. Longman.
Brumfit, C., (1995). Language education in the National Curriculum. Blackwell.
Aitchison, J. (1998). The articulate mammal.. Routledge..
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Assignment | 50% |
Assignment | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Assignment | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Assignment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External