LANGTCHG 762 : Second Language Acquisition

Arts

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Advanced study of current theories of second language acquisition and research that have examined both instructed and naturalistic acquisition. Includes an independent study involving analysis of learner language and writing a standard research report and a critique of a pedagogical approach, drawing on contemporary research on how languages are learned.

Course Overview

Week 1  Key concepts and turning points in second language acquisition theories
Week 2 Quantitative and qualitative research methods in second language acquisition
Week 3 Evaluating Universal Grammar-based vs. emergentist approaches to second language acquisition
Week 4 Interactionist approaches and the role of noticing in second language acquisition
Week 5 Meaning-based approaches to second language acquisition
Week 6 Sociocultural approaches and linguistic relativity in second language acquisition
Week 7 Open Science and second language acquisition research
Week 8 Expressing and processing emotions in a second language
Week 9 Untutored SLA and adult language learning after minimal exposure
Week 10 To code-switch or not to code-switch? Language switching in instruction and production
Week 11 Neurolinguistic approaches to second language processing
Week 12 Language loss: Is first language attrition second language acquisition in reverse? 

Course Requirements

Restriction: LANGTCHG 722, 723, 743

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
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply a range of theoretical approaches to the phenomena observed in second language acquisition (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1)
  2. Evaluate various types of evidence from learner data and show an an ability to critically assess their significance for theory building and language teaching (Capability 1.2, 2.3, 4.2 and 5.2)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of how core techniques of linguistic analysis can be applied to investigate second language acquisition development (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 6.1)
  4. Develop an awareness of the connection between real-life aspects of learning a new language and their implications for teaching someone to think in a new language (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Short essay on the Critical Period Hypothesis 25% Individual Coursework
Short essay contrasting two theories of SLA in relation to a specific linguistic feature 25% Individual Coursework
Essay on a chosen topic: 3,000 words 50% Individual Coursework

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/block delivery.

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.

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.

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.

The set readings for each lecture are available on Canvas under Reading Lists. 

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 03/11/2022 09:19 a.m.