Second Language Acquisition

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Plan and implement an empirical investigation using linguistic data;
• Relate knowledge of theoretical concepts in linguistics to empirical data.
• Describe and critically evaluate a range of language acquisition theories;

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:

• Analyse datasets systematically and extract results;
• Reflect on and evaluate your own learning and skills.
• Formulate a research question and implement a project to investigate it;

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

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

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Mitchell, R and Myles, F (2004). Second Language Learning Theories. Arnold.

Spada, N and Lightbown, P (2006). How Languages are Learned.. OUP.

VanPatten, B and Williams, J (2007). Theories in Second Language Acquisition. Lawrence Erlbaum..

Saville-Troike, M (2006). Introduction to Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge University Press.

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.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External