ALM5250

Second language acquisition

(ART)

To be advised

12 points + Second semester + OCDL, Clayton + 2 hours per week

Synopsis: This unit introduces students to the study of second language acquisition and attrition. The relation between first and second language acquisition; learning/acquisition contexts; foreign language learning vs second language acquisition; contrastive and error analysis; interlanguage; learner variability - age, aptitude, cognitive styles, attitude and motivation; theories of second language acquisition; learning strategies; classroom interaction analysis; implications for curriculum content; and attrition as the inverse of acquisition. Students work on problems in a language of interest to them.

Assessment: Minor assignment (2500 words): 25% + Major data-based project and class presentation (4500 words): 50% + Open-book test (2 hours): 25%