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Language Acquisition 5: Theories and Research Methods in Applied Linguistics

Vak
2024-2025

Admission requirements

You need to have passed Language Acquisition 3.

Description

Linguistics covers many approaches to the study of language, including formal, theoretical, and applied linguistics. This course introduces you to some of the frameworks, methodologies, and tools that applied linguists use to analyse language use, variation and development.
A major topic of interest in applied linguistics is how diversity and identity interact with language use. Questions relating to this are, for instance, how and why does your regional identity affect your pronunciation? How are gender identities represented in discourse? Does your identity play a role in your writing development in a second language?
The course provides you with the opportunity to explore some of these questions by delving into some of the central research methods in applied linguistics, especially those used in sociolinguistics and stylistics. It introduces you to a selection of research methods that applied linguists use to collect and analyse language data, such as qualitative and quantitative survey methods (Jeffery), corpus analysis tools (Dorst), and statistical analysis (Smakman). In doing so, this course equips you with the essential research tools that you can use for a wide variety of projects, such as your BA-thesis.
The course is structured in three blocks, each of which is devoted to a topic aligned with the lecturer’s expertise in applied linguistics research. Each block consists of four sessions: three lectures and one lecture- free week in which you complete an assessment such as a critical evaluation, data analysis, or a short project that is based on material presented in the block (e.g., lectures and associated readings).

Course objectives

  1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of key theories and concepts in applied linguistics, especially stylistics and sociolinguistics.
  2. Practice applying these theories and concepts to real-life examples from different genres and different communicative settings.
  3. Develop a comprehensive understanding of some of the central methodologies used in applied linguistics to investigate linguistic phenomena either quantitatively or qualitatively, such as surveys, experiments or case studies.
  4. Practice identifying and critically evaluating the application of some of the central methodologies in applied linguistics.
  5. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the analysis tools and software used to analyze linguistic data, such as corpus analysis software and statistical analysis programs.
  6. Practice interpreting research findings and communicating them effectively in written reports.
  7. Practice collaborating on a joint research project.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Lecture

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Block 1 assessment (individual critical evaluation)

  • Block 2 assessment (individual data analysis)

  • Block 3 assessment (group research report)

Weighing

  • Block 1 assessment (35%); minimum grade required: 5,5

  • Block 2 assessment (35%); minimum grade required: 5,5

  • Block 3 assessment (30%); minimum grade required: 5,5

The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average combined with additional requirements. The additional requirements are a minimum of a 5,5 for all course components. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.

Resit

In order to pass the course, component grades have to be 5.5 or higher. The final course grade should be at least a 6. You must resit the component(s) that have a grade below 5.5.

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

A reading list comprising weekly reading material (mostly articles and book chapters that are available through the online library) will be made available in Brightspace before the course starts.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.

Registration À la carte education and Contract teaching

Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.

Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal

Remarks

Not applicable.