LANGTCHG 708 : Special Topic: Experimental Approaches to SLA

Arts

2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Familiarises students with experiments that investigate second language acquisition. There are two goals. First, to develop an understanding of a range of methods in the field, which include categorisation and memory tests, eye-tracking, measuring skin conductance responses and brain signals. Second, to train students to critically read reports from experiments and to evaluate their relevance for SLA research.

Course Overview

Week 1 The experimental method: key concepts and features
Week 2 Production methods and two-group comparisons
Week 3 Comprehension methods and multiple group comparisons
Week 4 Measuring L2 proficiency and predicting one variable from another
Week 5 How to design a valid and reliable language acquisition study
Week 6 Preregistration - Guidance on Open Science practices in language learning research
Week 7 Replication in second language research and the IRIS repository
Week 8 Online processing methods and non-parametric tests
Week 9 Non-verbal experiments in language learning research and missing data
Week 10 Multimodal integration in L2-based concept learning
Week 11 Combining online and offline measures in one study; Factor analysis
Week 12 Conclusion and reflections

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Master of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop a working knowledge of how different comprehension and production methods can be applied to examine second language acquisition processes and outcomes (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.2)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of various types of quantitative analytical approaches to a point of being able to competently choose, reproduce and extend basic statistical tests (Capability 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 4.2 and 5.2)
  3. Critically evaluate key Open Science practices in the field including replication and pre-registration, with special attention to design, sampling, variables and analysis (Capability 1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
  4. Be able to critically discuss a range of language learning methodologies - including multimodal, nonverbal and combined - so they are able to assess their strengths and weaknesses (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 25% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 50% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 25% Individual Coursework

Next offered

Semester 1, 2022

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, 120 hours of reading, thinking about the content and assignment preparation, adding up to a total of approximately 150 hours of study.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings.

The course will include live online events including group discussions.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities to complete components of the course.

The course will include live online events including group discussions and these will be recorded.

Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.

This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

This course is available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Key Texts
- Blom, E., & Unsworth, S. (Eds.). (2010). Experimental methods in language acquisition research (Vol. 27). Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.
- Mackey, A., & Gass, S. M. (2015). Second language research: Methodology and design. London: Routledge.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 02/11/2021 10:29 a.m.