First and Second Language Acquisition

The language of instruction is English.

The course provides an introduction to First and Second language (L1 & L2) acquisition with a special focus on how theoretical knowledge of these phenomena can be employed in improving the methods for L2 instruction and for practical purposes in education and language teaching.

Knowledge

Candidates who have passed this course can

• describe main aspects of first and second language acquisition with respect to phonology, vocabulary and grammar
• describe main factors in and characteristics of simultaneous bilingual language development
• describe factors that may contribute to variation in language development
• describe some of the main methods that have been used to achieve our current understanding of language acquisition
• describe and compare some main theoretical accounts of language acquisition

Skills

Candidates who have passed this course can

• discuss differences and similarities between first and second language acquisition
• discuss implications of theoretical knowledge about language acquisition for language education
• discuss the implications of our knowledge of acquisition processes for our understanding of the human language capacity

A combination of lectures, seminars, online activities, group activity, and/or supervision. This course will make use of flexible teaching forms, and a high degree of student activity is required.

Students should expect that this 7.5 credit course equates with approximately 10 hours of work per week, including teaching time.

Compulsory assignments

• Attendance in first lecture. Students who cannot attend, regardless of reason, will need to complete a short written assignment.
• Oral presentation, preferably in groups, 10-15 minutes

Approved obligatory assignment is valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).