ATS3816 - The social context of language learning - 2018

In the innovative unit students explore issues in the teaching and learning of languages, and reflect on their own language learning experience. Students design and carry out a research project in an area of language learning of interest to them, and engage in detailed discussion in weekly seminars. The unit brings together students from a range of language backgrounds and explores the motivations people bring to second language learning and the effect of different learning environments. A key focus is developing students' awareness of career options using languages and developing skills of interest to employers, such as project design and management, data analysis and report writing.

Upon successful completion of the unit students will be able to:

1. Describe different approaches to formal and informal language learning and the merits and pitfalls of each approach
2. Discuss the effect that social factors, such as gender, friendship groups and societal attitudes can have on language learning
3. Reflect on their own language learning motivation, style and achievements
4. Explore how institutions such as schools and universities make decisions about how to structure their language programs
5. Understand key language issues facing multilingual/ multicultural societies
6. Be familiar with a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to studying language learning
7. Conduct a small independent research project in an area of their own choosing

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

English as an international language

French studies

Indonesian studies

Korean studies

Spanish and Latin American studies

Linguistics

Ukrainian studies

Chinese studies