Studying at York
First and second language acquisition - LAN00092M
- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
- See module specification for other years: 2023-24
Module summary
This module introduces the fields of first and second language acquisition research, including research methods, data, and theory. The module focuses on the acquisition of phonology and syntax, beginning with language development in babies and children, then focusing on acquisition of second or subsequent languages in adults.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
The module provides:
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an overview of child first language acquisition, focusing on phonology and syntax
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an overview of key topics in second language acquisition of phonology and syntax
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an introduction to theories of first and second language acquisition
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opportunities to deepen understanding of a range of research methods in language acquisition
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opportunities to develop understanding of data reporting
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opportunities to develop written and oral presentation skills
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
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Explain the key aspects of the typical sequence of child language development in the areas of phonology and syntax;
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Articulate and discuss key issues in second language acquisition research;
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Explain and critically evaluate the techniques used in studying language development;
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Engage with and analyse language acquisition data and general issues of linguistic competence/performance and cognition in general;
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Explain and evaluate the role of linguistic theory in developing accounts of language acquisition.
Academic and graduate skills
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Students will practise the following skills during this module: academic writing, analytic reasoning, understanding experiment design, reading and interpreting statistical data.
Module content
The first half of the module will focus on first language acquisition and the second half on second language acquisition.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 70 |
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 70 |
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
Module feedback
Feedback on Formative assignments provided within two weeks
Feedback on Summative assignment provided within the University’s 25-day marking deadline
Indicative reading
Textbook and handbook readings are recommended, to support the lecture content. Primary research articles are assigned for critical reading and discussion in seminars. For example:
Bardovi-Harlig, K., & Stringer, D. (2017). Unconventional expressions: Productive syntax in the L2 acquisition of formulaic language. Second Language Research, 33, 61-90.
Gavarró, A., Leela, M., Rizzi, L., & Franck, J. (2015). Knowledge of the OV parameter setting at 19 months: Evidence from Hindi–Urdu. Lingua, 154, 27-34.
Saville-Troike, M. (2006). The linguistics of second language acquisition. Chapter 3 in Introducing second language acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 31–65.
Vihman, M. M. (2018) First word learning. In Shirley-Ann Rueschmeyer & Gareth Gaskell (eds) Oxford Handbook of Psycholinguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.