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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EDUC1040 Second Language Acquisition and Learning

20 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr Amanda Howard
Email: a.j.howard@education.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Have you ever wondered how people learn a new language? You may have tried it yourself, with or without success, and may be wondering just how this process works. You may be thinking of doing some language teaching, either temporarily or as a career, and feel that it would be useful to have an understanding of the processes that language learners go through. By doing this module, you will develop a basic understanding of current views on the processes of second/foreign language use and language learning. You will develop an understanding of what is meant by being proficient in a language. You will also develop skills in understanding and carrying out simple analysis of examples of language used in classrooms and link this to aspects of language learning. This module is taught in semester 1. For the assignment you will normally have to do one 3,000 word essay and an analysis of data which you have collected yourself, and which should be related to theoretical issues covered on the module. Each of these components is worth 50% of the final mark. There are no pre-requisites for this module.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be:
- able to demonstrate a basic understanding of current views on the processes of second/foreign language use and language learning
- able to describe and explain basic concepts of language proficiency
- familiar with simple analyses of language classroom data designed to demonstrate aspects of language learning
- able to carry out, with guidance, analysis of classroom data
- able to comment on the findings of data analyses in the light of their understanding of language learning processes.

Syllabus

1 What is means to 'speak a language'
2 How children acquire their first language
3 The role of input in SLA
4 The role of output and interaction in SLA
5 The role of information processing I
6 The role of information processing II
7 Socio-Cultural Views of SLA
8 Putting it all together
9 The role of motivation and identity in SLA
10 The role of age in SLA
11 The role of learning strategies in SLA

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Example Class12.002.00
Office Hour Discussions13.003.00
Lecture112.0022.00
Seminar51.005.00
Private study hours176.00
Total Contact hours32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)208.00

Private study

- 8 hours reading per lecture: 88 hours
- 44 hours per assignment: 88 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored during seminars.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay3,000 words100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 15/09/2017

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