230587 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition (S) (WiSe 2006/2007)

Of the three courses in Profile Module 7 this course should be taken first, as it functions as an introduction to the module. The other two courses in the module assume knowledge from this course and build upon this knowledge.

The course will introduce students to what is known about how languages are learned. We will first look briefly at the stages children go through in acquiring their first language (or, in the case of bilingual children, two languages) and review the major theories which attempt to account for this remarkable achievement. We will then consider how young children may also acquire a second or even third language parallel to their first language with ease and contrast this with the difficulty usually experienced in acquiring a foreign language in adulthood, or in learning foreign languages in traditional classroom settings. Against this background we will consider some influential theories of second language acquisition, look at the idea of learner language and of language error and examine transcripts of language classes. As the course progresses we will be considering the implications of what we have learned for language teaching in schools, and especially for the introduction of English in primary school.

Two students will be expected to briefly present a topic from the course plan each week and provide a handout to be placed on the web-page. Students will also be asked to keep their own personal course diary. Assessment (B.A. students) will be by the course diary. However, students who present may use their presentation and handout for assessment instead of the diary.

Students will need to buy the course book:

Patsy M. Lightbown and Nina Spada: How Languages are Learned. Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. ISBN: 0 19 437000 3
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