edu5sla second language acquisition
SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
EDU5SLA
2017
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
Students will explore key aspects of the process of additional language acquisition and gain an understanding of differences between major models of this process. They will become familiar with key concepts in additional language acquisition research and the debates that surround them. Students will develop understandings of the relationship between theories of language and theories of how languages are learned. Students will develop understanding of the relevance of additional language acquisition research for additional language teaching as a result of critical evaluation of alternative views of the additional language acquisition process and reflection on their own research and class experiences. Through targeted literature reviews and a small-scale empirical research study, students will learn to place research findings in their theoretical context and judge the relevance of their findings. Students will gain the competence to design and conduct small-scale, ethical additional language acquisition studies.
SchoolSchool of Education
Credit points30
Subject Co-ordinatorHoward Nicholas
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Language Education and Applied Linguistics | Preliminary | Nicholas, H. & Starks, D. 2014 | ROUTLEDGE |
| Readings | How Languages are Learned (4th edition) | Preliminary | Ligthbown, P. & Spada N. 2013 | ROUTLEDGE |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Understand the nature of second language acquisition in both informal and formal contexts
- Activities:
- Definitions and experiences of second language acquisition;
02. Understand social, biological and environmental influences on second language acquisition
- Activities:
- Biological and social influences on second language acquisition; Universal and variational features of second language acquisition; Age and second language acquisition
03. Understand the influence of instructed and other feedback on second language acquisition
- Activities:
- Interaction, feedback and second language acquisition; pronunciation, vocabulary in second language acquisition
04. Understand different theories and approaches to second language acquisition and their methodologies
- Activities:
- All sessions: with a particular emphasis in sessions on pragmatics and culture in second language acquisition; current issues in second language acquisition research; biological and social influences on second language acquisition; universal and variational features of second language acquisition; age and second language acquisition
05. Apply a research-based view of the nature of second language development to contexts relevant to the students' own lives
- Activities:
- Cross-linguistic influences on second language acquisition; current issues in second language acquisition resear
06. Understand the history of the field of second language acquisition
- Activities:
- History of second language acquisition research
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2017, Week 32-44, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorHoward Nicholas
Class requirements
Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 33 - 43
Ten 3.0 hours lecture/workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 33 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic motivation and literature review = 2500 words | 20 | 01, 04, 05 | |
| Research interview and transcription = equivalent to 3000 words | 30 | 01, 05 | |
| Research report (essay format) = 5000 words | The research study report is scaffolded by the two previous tasks, briefings on ethical research issues and procedures and in-class activities. | 50 | 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 |