Linguistics 2244A
Second Language Acquisition

 

Antirequisite(s): Spanish 3319A/B.
Prerequisite(s): One of Anthropology 1027A/B, Linguistics 2288A/B, Spanish 3303A/B, or both French 2805A/B and French 2806A/B or permission of the program.

Textbook

Lightbown, P. & N. Spada. (2021). How Languages are Learned (Fifth Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Course Description:

This course will be an introduction to research on language acquisition with a specific focus on Spanish as the second language. Using a core textbook and recent articles, students will learn about different theories regarding acquisition, the role of individual differences, as well as the main characteristics of learner language. Students will be able to connect this body of knowledge to their own learning and as a result, to analyse a corpus work as part of the group project.

Course Aims and Objectives:

  • To provide a basic level of knowledge about SLA
  • To stimulate interest in SLA and provide guidance for further reading and independent study
  • To offer practical help with corpus data analysis

Course Evaluation:

  • Midterm: 20%
  • Oral presentation in pairs on any of the assigned articles: 10%
  • Participation & Preparation: 10%
  • TCPS2 Tutorial: 5%
  • Group corpus project (project outline 20%, oral presentation 10%, Essay 25%): 55%