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Second Language Acquisition

oalmeniei@KSU.EDU.SA
oalmeniei@KSU.EDU.SA
course

Eng 329 Language Acquisition

Eng 329
..                                   
Department of English Language and Literature
2nd semester 2011
 

Eng.329 Language Acquisition Course Title
Dr. Othman Almeniei                     oalmeniei@ksu.edu.sa   Instructor
Office hours:      
Sundays 10-11
Mondays 11-12 or by appointment		 Office AB58
Course Description:
This course deals with the different themes and issues related to first and second language acquisition. Students should be familiarized with the major contemporary approaches to the study of first language acquisition.
 
 
General Goal:
Students are expected to comfortably explain how 1st. & 2nd. language acquisition takes place and give examples to support their assumptions.
 
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate their ability to:
  • Express the basic concepts related to first language acquisition
  • Identify the main principles underlining the major theoretical approaches to 1st & 2nd language acquisition
  • Explain the various stages of development in the different aspects of language: phonological, lexical, semantic, and grammatical
  •  Identify features of learner language
  • Incorporate theory into practice and create best case scenarios for language learning in their future classrooms
Lightbown, P. & Spada, N. (2010). How Languages are
         Learned (3rd. ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press		 Textbook:
Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2007). An
          Introduction to Language. Boston, USA: Thomson
         Higher Education.
Ellis, R. (1997). Second Language Acquisition.Oxford:
         Oxford University Press		 Additional
Material:
Midterm 10 %
Quizzes, assignments 10 %
Presentations/ projects 10 %
Participation & attendance 10 %
Final 60 %		 Assessment
 

 
                                                         


 

Tentative Topics to be Covered
 
Topics No. of
Weeks		 Contact hours
 
Language learning in early childhood
  • Stages of acquisition of morphemes, negation, & questions…
  • Different theories that explain first language acquisition
  • Childhood bilingualism
  
2		  
6
 
 
Discussion of different theories that explain how SLA takes place
  • Contexts for language learning
  • Innatist perspective: UG, Krashen,
  • Psychological theories
  • The sociocultual theory
  
2
 		  
6
 
Individual differences in SLL:
 Intelligence, aptitude, learner styles, personality, motivation and CPH		  
2
 		  
6
Midterm
Interlanguage
  • Contrastive analysis, error analysis
  • Developmental sequences
  • L1 influence
  
2		  
6
Observing learning & teaching in the language classroom
  • Classroom interaction
  • Feedback
  • Teachers’ questions
  • Studies of classroom interaction
 2 6
Second language learning in the classroom:
Exploration of ‘best case scenarios’		 1 3
Student projects and presentations 1 3
Review & Final exam 1 3
 

 
                                                         
Classroom norms & expectations

  • All students are expected to attend classes regularly and turn in assignments on time
  •  There is no need to take permission to enter/leave the class
  • Attendance is taken at the beginning of the class. All are welcome to enter class after attendance is taken but are considered absent!
  •  Students who do not miss a single class for the entire semester are given 5 marks additional credit and will earn a full mark allotted for participation
course attachements