230182 Language Learning Processes and Language Learner Language (S) (WiSe 2004/2005)

YES, the process of learning a foreign language is highly individual. It depends on the learner?s age, mother tongue, motivation, setting, learning style, intelligence, talent, etc. Research has indicated that all these aspects influence the level of proficiency in a foreign language, even though some of them are hard to measure.
NO, the process of learning a foreign language is not highly individual. Learners learning a foreign language all pass through the same developmental sequences. A concrete example are the stages for question formation (Pienemann et al); nearly all learners of English as a foreign language start with very simple question fragments like "The sun?", proceed to more complex structures like "Where is the sun?", and - at an advanced level - are able to ask their interlocutor questions like "The sun is the luminous celestial body around which the earth and other planets revolve, isn?t it?"

Both statements have been proven right, even though they seem to contradict each other at first glance. Class work will concentrate on examining the differences and similarities of language learners and the learning processes underlying them. Furthermore, we will suggest consequences for classroom learning and teaching by taking this knowledge into account.

Credits:
3 with regular attendance + in-class presentation (25-30 min + handout)
or
3 with regular attendance + passing the final test
or
3 with regular attendance + final test or in-class presentation + long essay (10-12 pages)