2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EDUC1040 Second Language Acquisition and Learning

20 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr Diana McCray
Email: D.Mazgutova@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

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. 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. There are no pre-requisites for this module.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will be able to:

- demonstrate an understanding of contemporary perspectives on the processes of second language acquisition and learning;
- discuss and assess the role of key factors in second language acquisition (e.g. L1 transfer, input, interaction, scaffolding);
- analyse language classroom data with regard to key factors in, and key perspectives on second language acquisition;
- analyse their own language learning experiences in the light of theories encountered in the module;
- read and identify the key findings and procedures of original research in the area of SLA.

Learning outcomes
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

Indicative content:
What is means to 'speak a language'
How children acquire their first language
The role of input in SLA
The role of output and interaction in SLA
The role of information processing I
The role of information processing II
The role of motivation and identity in SLA
The role of age in SLA
The role of learning strategies in SLA

Socio-Cultural Views of SLA

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Office Hour Discussions	2	0.50	1.00
Lecture	10	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			177.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

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 lectures, assignment tutorials, Padlet Q-A and module feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	100.00
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: 19/10/2023

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