Course Description
Native and second language acquisition processes, with attention to regional, social, and functional variation in language and contrasts between English and other selected languages.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Activities such as (1) oral reports on research projects or
articles dealing with lst and 2nd language acquisition, (2)
research paper on a topic to be chosen by the professor and the
student, or (3) additional instructional units.
Athena Title
L1 and L2 Acquis and Devel
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in LLED 5730E or LLED 7730E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. To develop an understanding of processes of the acquisition and development of language, both in children (first language) and in various contexts (second or other languages). 2. To learn about the theoretical and practical underpinnings of language acquisition and their relationship to classroom learning. 3. To develop an awareness of how to understand, facilitate, and assess language development. 4. To develop as a reflective practitioner in education. 5. To develop a vocabulary and sensitivity for monitoring 1st and 2nd language development, including sequential and chronological expectations. 6. To understand the interplay between the development of language structures and functions. 7. To understand the role of individual difference, cultural difference, and the learning situation in 1st and 2nd language development. 8. To be able to participate in informed debate about social and educational issues pertaining to 1st and 2nd language development.
Topical Outline
1. 1st language theoretical perspectives 2. Linguistic development in young children 3. Linguistic development case study 4. Language functions 5. School talk 6. Disorder or difference? 7. Introduction to 2nd language acquisition 8. Interlanguage/linguistic approaches 9. Discourse and interaction in second language acquition (SLA) 10. Individual differences (styles and strategies) and instruction 11. Language socialization
Syllabus