310303 Second Language Acquisition (SLA)

Instructor:  Tuncer Can

IIA: Wednesdays 13:45-16:00 (E-4)

IIB: Thursdays 11:30-13:45 (E-6)

Office: HAYEF 7, Phone: 440 00 00-13030, E-mail: Admin@ingilish.com

Office Hours: Thursdays 14:00-16:00

Blogger: http://slacquisition.blogspot.com/

Class-Materials: http://www.ingilish.com/hayef.htm

 

In this course we will examine the process of learning and using a second language. Research in second language acquisition (SLA) is multi-disciplinary in nature, reflecting the complex nature of child and adult language learning and use.  Linguistic, psychological and social processes that underlie language(s) learning and use will be introduced and current research findings will be examined from the perspective of the foreign language teaching professional.

 

Goals

This course has three goals:

1) Fostering an understanding of the principles and processes that govern second language learning and use. SLA will be examined from three vantage points.

1.     as linguistic knowledge 2. as a cognitive skill 3. as a socially and personality-meditated process

2) Developing the ability to think critically about research findings in the field. Research is a dynamic process, in which today's understandings give way to tomorrow's insights. You will be encouraged to take an inquiring and analytic approach to the readings and lecture material.

3) Understanding the relationship between SLA research and second language instruction. An understanding of the basic processes involved in second language acquistion should serve as the backdrop for reflective teaching practice.

 

The Course

* provides an in-depth introduction to the field of second language acquisition from a Turkish and international perspective

* seeks to develop effective communication skills, including the ability to analyse and organise information and ideas and to convey those ideas clearly and fluently, in both written and spoken forms.

* seeks to develop independence and creativity by developing the ability to identify and address problems and come up with creative solutions.

* seeks foster critical judgement by developing the ability to apply critical reasoning to issues in the field through independent thought and informed judgement.

* seeks to facilitates social and cultural understanding through knowledge of other languages and cultures.

 

Evaluation

Mid-term Exam (%40) + Final(Final Exam and Weekly Homework) (%50) + Evaluation (Extra curricular activity, project, attendance, participation etc.) (%10)

 

Reading Materials

Gass, S. M. & Selinker, L. (2001) Second Language Acquisition: An Introductory Course. London: Lawrence Earlbaum.

Ellis, R. (2004) The Study of Second Language Acquisition OUP, UK

 

Week

Date

Lecture topic

Reading for the week and Homework

1

IIA 11 Oct. 2006

IIB 12 Oct. 2006

Early SLA Research (handout)

Presentation

Activity 1: Acquiring Bulgarian (word order, articles)

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 1. The study of second language acquisition.

Chapter 2. Looking at interlanguage data.

2

IIA 18 Oct. 2006

IIB 19 Oct. 2006

The Role of the First Language

First and Child Second Language Acquisition

Handout

Activity 2: Acquiring Bulgarian (Plural, animal vocabulary)

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 3. The role of the native language: an historical overview

Chapter 4. Child language acquistion: First and second

1st Assignment Due

http://slacquisition.blogspot.com

3

IIA 25- Holiday

IIB 26 Oct. 2006

Language Development

Viewing a Movie

4

IIA 1 Nov. 2006

IIB 2 Nov. 2006

The Effect of Previously Known Languages

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 5. Recent perspectives on the role of previously known languages.

2rd Assignment Due

5

IIA 8 Nov. 2006

IIB 9 Nov. 2006

Functional Approaches to SLA

Handout: Activity 3: Acquiring Bulgarian (Question Words and Relative Clause)

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 6. SLA and Linguistics.

3th Assignment Due

6

IIA 15 Nov. 2006

IIB 16 Nov. 2006

Universal Grammar in SLA

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 7. Universal grammar

7

22-23 Nov. 2006 and

29-30 Nov. 2006

Mid-Terms

Course Materials

8

IIA 6 Dec. 2006

IIB 7 Dec. 2006

Cognitive Models of SLA Sociolinguistic Approaches to SLA

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 8. Looking at interlanguage processes Chapter 9. Interlanguage in context.

4th Assignment Due

9

IIA 13 Dec. 2006

IIB 14 Dec. 2006

Input, Interaction & Output

 

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 10. Input, interaction, and output.

5th Assignment Due

10

IIA 20 Dec. 2006

IIB 21 Dec. 2006

Instructed Second Language Learning

Activity 4: focus on form

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).,

Chapter 11. Instructed second language learning.

6th Assignment Due

11

IIA 27 Dec. 2006

IIB 28 Dec. 2006

Personality and Emotional Factors in SLA

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 12. Nonlanguage influences

7th Assignment Due

12

IIA 3 Jan. 2007 Holiday

IIB 4 Jan. 2007

Language Development

Viewing a Movie

13

IIA 10 Jan. 2007

IIB 11 Jan. 2007

The Lexicon

 

 

Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2001).

Chapter 13. The lexicon

8th Assignment Due

14

15 Jan-16 Feb. 2007

Final Exams and Make-ups

 

 

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