EN-469 Language Acquisition
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Humanities and Education
- Course Leaders:
-
- Linda Ruth Wheeldon
- Allison Louise Wetterlin
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Teaching language:
- English
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Advanced Teacher Education level 8-13, 5-year Master's Programme
- Translation and Professional Communication, Master's programme
- Master's Programme in English
Teaching language
EnglishCourse contents
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the key issues in language acquisition and the various theories and approaches that seek to explain how children acquire language. The main focus is on first language acquisition. Acquisition of all levels of language structure will be discussed and as well as multilingual and atypical language acquisition.
Topics to be covered focussing on English:
• Theories and stages of child language development
• Methods and approaches
• The acquisition of sounds, words, morphology and syntax
• Multilingual language acquisition
• Atypical language acquisition
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students have
• knowledge of the stages of first language acquisition
• broad knowledge of theories and models of language acquisition
• knowledge of linguistic and experimental approaches to the study of language acquisition
Upon successful completion of this course students can
• critically evaluate theories and evidence about the biological and environmental basis of language acquisition. • critically evaluate theories of the acquisition of different levels of language structure
• critically evaluate theories of multilingual and atypical language acquisition
• write clear and concise summaries of key research articles and well-structured essays.
Examination requirements
All obligatory tasks must be approved in order to be eligible to take the exam. An overview of the obligatory tasks will be given at the start of the term.
Teaching methods
Lectures and discussions. Active and regular participation is expected. The estimated workload is approximately 270 hours.
Evaluation
The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1.
Admission for external candidates
No
Offered as Single Standing Module
Yes, if there are places available
Admission Requirement if given as Single Standing Module
Identical to the admissions requirements for the programme.
Assessment methods and criteria
A individual take home written examination consisting of essay questions. Information about the exam will be given at the start of the term. Graded assessment.
Reduction of Credits
This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:
Course | Reduction of Credits |
---|---|
EN-425 – Language Acquisition | 10 |