Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The main characteristics and stages of L2 development.
- A range of current theoretical perspectives on language learning, and indicative supporting evidence;
- Key constructs in SLA theory;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Formulate a research question and implement a project to investigate it;
- Reflect on and evaluate your own learning and skills.
- Analyse datasets systematically and extract results;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Describe and critically evaluate a range of language acquisition theories;
- Relate knowledge of theoretical concepts in linguistics to empirical data.
- Plan and implement an empirical investigation using linguistic data;
Syllabus
First language acquisition, bilingual acquisition, and the implications of first language acquisition research for the study of SLA.
Second language acquisition. Particular attention will be paid to the following issues:
- key concepts and research methods used to study second language acquisition
- the nature of interlanguage and L2 developmental sequences
- similarities and differences between first and second language acquisition
- the role in SLA played by Universal Grammar
- the role played by cognitive mechanisms
- the role played by social factors
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
* Lectures
* Seminars
* Assignment tutorials
* Virtual learning environment (Blackboard)
Learning activities include
* Individual study and research
* Group discussion and problemsolving (in seminars)
* Designing and managing a project
* Accessing online resources (e.g. learner corpora).
Innovative or special features of this module
Data analysis task using learner corpus data
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Teaching | 22 |
Independent Study | 128 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
VanPatten, B and Williams, J (2007). Theories in Second Language Acquisition. Lawrence Erlbaum..
Mitchell, R and Myles, F (2004). Second Language Learning Theories. Arnold.
Saville-Troike, M (2006). Introduction to Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge University Press.
Spada, N and Lightbown, P (2006). How Languages are Learned.. OUP.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback
Discussing draft reports and essays
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Reflective essay | 50% |
Data Analysis | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External