Prospectus

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Second Language Acquisition

Course
2023-2024

Admission requirements

An introductory course in language acquisition or psycholinguistics at MA or BA3 level at a university.

Description

The course addresses the acquisition and use of a second language from two main theoretical perspectives: the cognitive and sociocultural perspective. One of the main rationales for the cognitive perspective has been that degree of success in learning a second language is heterogeneous rather than the (claimed) homogeneous success for native language learning. Cognitive approaches to second language learning seek answers to the question why individuals differ in this way. The sociocultural perspective broadens this discussion and views language use and language learning as situated in an (interactional) context. In the first part of the course, students will get acquainted with these different theoretical approaches. In the second part of the course, students will carry out research into individual differences in second language learning (outcomes).

Course objectives

  • To learn to read and interpret the relevant literature;

  • To learn to synthesize and present research literature;

  • To understand the most relevant theories in the field of second language acquisition.

  • To learn to collect, analyze, and report on data for a specific research question;

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Seminar

Course Load

Total course load: 280 hours (10 EC)

Attending seminars: 26 hours
Weekly homework: 26 hours
Reading: 90 hours
Research project (including writing): 126 hours
Presentation: 12 hours

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Oral presentation (oral examination) 30%

  • Course Paper 70%

Weighing

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average.

Resit

Resit: students who fail the course may resit the course paper.

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

Mitchell, R., Myles, F., & Marsden, E. (2019). Second language learning theories. Routledge, 4th edition.

Brightspace will be used for:

  • information on the course and on assignments

  • notifications

Registration

Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory

Contact

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

For questions related to the content of the course, please contact the lecturer, you can find their contact information by clicking on their name in the sidebar.

For questions regarding enrollment please contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats E-mail address Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats: osz-oa-reuvensplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl

For questions regarding your studyprogress contact the Coordinator of Studies