2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING3190 Language Acquisition

20 creditsClass Size: 14

Module manager: Cecile De Cat
Email: c.decat@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

MODL1060 Language: Structure and Sound OR Equivalent Level 1 ENGL module
OR
LING2130 Psycholinguistics

This module is mutually exclusive with

LING2390

Language Acquisition

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is an introduction to language acquisition research. Different types of acquisition will be considered, including typical first language acquisition, bilingual acquisition, and second language acquisition in children and adults.

Objectives

The module aims to:

- Familiarise students with the key concepts and research question in language acquisition
- Survey important findings in language acquisition research
- Introduce students to the key experimental methodologies used in language acquisition research
- Develop students' analytical skills through practical analyses of data
- Develop students' critical thinking through the discussion of research papers
- Develop students' research skills through the review of studies and the creation of an experimental design

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a coherent and detailed understanding of the terminology, concepts, information, practical competencies and techniques used in language acquisition research
2. understand the importance of language acquisition research in linguistic theory in general
3. critically analyse aspects of experimental design and methodology used in language acquisition research, to analyse its data, and to select such data to illustrate a point under discussion, all using appropriate technical terms
4. read and show critical awareness of the literature in scientific journals
5. identify and motivate a valid research question, translate it into a testable hypothesis, and sketch an appropriate research design to test that hypothesis
6. effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms, including oral presentation
7. demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory and data in language acquisition research, and the importance of a theory's explanatory power
8. demonstrate an understanding of the competitive nature of opposing theories, and to be able to assess the contribution of evidence to conflicting claims

Syllabus

This module introduces students to the core concepts and leading questions of language acquisition research.

We will focus on language acquisition in three types of population: children acquiring their mother-tongue, children acquiring more than one language, and children/adults acquiring a second language. The topics covered will include, among others: the early apprehension of language by infants, the acquisition of various aspects of language competence (morphology, syntax, semantics), the effect of language processing on the acquisition process, and a discussion of theoretical frameworks in language acquisition research.

The lectures will be complemented by seminars which will enable students to explore in more depth the issues discussed in the course and prepare them for the take-home assignment. The seminars will be based on student-led presentations of seminal papers and will raise the students' awarenes of methodological issues. Data analysis exercises will feed into lectures and seminars.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Reading preparation for lectures and seminars: 60 hours;
- Preparation for coursework assignment: 60 hours;
- Preparation for examination: 60 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

a) 1 x coursework assessment.
b) feedback will be provided in the seminar sessions to monitor the students' progress. Particular attention will be paid to their ability to understand and review the literature critically and to present information effectively.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Research design exercise - 2000 words to be submitted in the second half of the semester	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

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: 02/03/2018 17:22:53

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