Second language syntax

Aims

Aims

The module provides a thorough introduction to issues in the development of syntactic knowledge in second language acquisition (SLA).

In addition, students will learn about key issues in experiment design and analysis in the field of SLA.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• understand the main current theories of SLA, and their different proposals about the roles of Universal Grammar and first language knowledge in SLA;
• show how second language (L2) data are used to provide evidence for (or against) the main theories of L2 syntactic development;
• explain the significance of major SLA research findings in the context of theories of L2 syntactic development;
• give an account of techniques for investigating L2 syntactic development.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Psycholinguistics Students: Satisfactory completion of the Autumn term assessments for Language Acquisition and Syntax (Route A Students) OR evidence of having successfully completed similar modules in previous degree (Route B Students)

Linguistics Students: Satisfactory completion of the Autumn term assessments for Syntax.

For all students wishing to take this module, it is highly recommended that you take or audit Syntactic Theory in the same term.

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

You will have a 1.5-hour lecture and 1-hour seminar each week. The seminars involve student-led discussion of SLA papers that you will read and prepare in advance of each seminar.

Teaching programme

Under redevelopment. To be confirmed.

Teaching materials

• Slabakova, Roumyana. 2016. Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Additional readings will be made available in a reading pack.

Assessment

Formative work and feedback

• Exercises
• Preparation for seminar participation and for seminar presentations is also important formative work on this module.

Summative assessment and feedback 

• 5,000 word essay