Introduction to language acquisition

Aims

Aims

The aim of this module is to:

• Provide an overview of child first language acquisition
• Introduce at least one other topic in language acquisition from among the following: second language acquisition, language acquisition in special populations, psycholinguistics
• Introduce overarching issues in linguistic theory, in the form of competing explanations of language acquisition patterns
• Provide consolidation of Year 1 syntax and phonology skills through application of these skills to language acquisition data
• Develop generic research skills and writing skills through student presentations

By the end of the module the student should:

• Have knowledge of the general course of child language acquisition and of key issues in one other topic in language acquisition
• Have knowledge of the key issues in the addtional topic or topics covered on the course (from among second language acquisition, language in special populations, and psycholinguistics)
• Be able to illustrate theoretical debates with specific examples from the acquisition of syntax and phonology
• Gain experience in working in a team to complete a small research project and present the findings
  

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed:

• L09C Introduction to phonetics and phonology
• L11C Introduction to syntax
  

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

• Weeks 2–5: 3 hours lectures + 1 hour seminar per week
• Week 7: 1 hour lecture on presentation skills + 1 hour seminar
• Week 8: 1 hour seminar
• Weeks 9–10: 3-hour presentation sessions (each student will attend one session, either in Week 9 or Week 10) + 1 hour seminar per week

Teaching programme

This course is divided into two distinct learning periods:

• Weeks 2–5: introduction to key language acquisition topics through lectures
• Weeks 7–10: preparation and presentation of group projects

Weekly seminars will go on throughout the course, with exercises designed to review and develop lecture content, and to provide time for discussion of progress with project work.

Teaching materials

A reading pack of materials will be available for purchase.

If you wish to do pre-reading, the following textbooks are a good place to start:

• Guasti, Maria Teresa. 2002. Language acquisition: the growth of grammar. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
• Lust, Barbara C. 2006. Child language: acquisition and growth. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Vihman, Marilyn M. 1996. Phonological Development. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Gass, Susan & Larry Selinker. 2008. Second language acquisition: an introductory course. Third edition. New York & London: Routledge.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• A project plan due Friday, Week 5.
  • Written and oral comments provided on all plans.
• Review quizzes available weekly on the module VLE site.
  • Automatic feedback provided through the VLE.

Summative assessment and feedback

• Group presentation in Week 9 or Week 10
  • Weight: 25%.
  • Written feedback to groups provided by end of Week 1, Spring Term.
• A 1.5-hour closed exam in Week 1 of the Spring Term
  • Weight: 75%
  • Mark on university scale for whole course published in Term 2, Week 6. Exam scripts subsequently available to view (under supervision, by appointment)