Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

Though not required, this module is particularly suitable for students with backgrounds or interests in interdisciplinary studies including psychology, education, neuroscience

Co Requisite Comment

Though not required, this module is particularly suitable for students with backgrounds or interests in interdisciplinary studies including psychology, education, neuroscience

Aims

To provide students with an introduction to the main theories, questions, methods of investigation, and discoveries in the two fields of a) child language development and b) adult second language acquisition.

Outline Of Syllabus

Part I Child language development
Topics:
Theoretical questions and perspectives on child language
What needs to be acquired and the challenges facing the child
How can we investigate child language
Brain and language development
Role of nurture in language development

Part II Second language acquisition
Topics:
Theoretical perspectives on second language acquisition
The empirical study of interlanguage
L1 influence
Acquisition of morphosytax/syntax
The critical period
Acquisition of phonology
Individual differences
Social context

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Child language development:
Demonstrate basic understanding of main theories in the field
Demonstrate familiarity with the main methodologies in the field
Demonstrate familiarity with major empirical discoveries

Second langauge acquisition:
Particular focus will be given to understanding of the following issues:
-acquisition in several domains (morphosyntax/syntax and phonology)
-developmental sequences
-similarities and differences between first and second language acquisition
-the role of the first language in the second language acquisition process
-the role played by universals
-the role played by other factors such as instruction and social context

Intended Skill Outcomes

- critical thinking
- problem solving
- take notes effectively, in workshops and lectures and from journal articles and book chapters
- construct a coherent argument based on a range of evidence
- group work
- tabulation and analysis second language acquisition data
- visual presentation of results
- written expression

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will present and explain theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and empirical discoveries, while the workshops will a) reinforce the lectures, b) provide students with opportunities to participate in classroom debates based on assigned readings, and c) support students in analysing (in smaller teams) a small dataset for the second language acquisition part of the module. Students will be expected to read assigned material in advance of the lectures and seminars. Private study time will be devoted to preparatory reading for both lectures and seminars.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Assessed by an examination, an oral presentation on analysis of second language data (morphosyntax/syntax or phonology) and an individual data analysis exercise (on the linguistic domain not selected for the group presentation).

Written Examination
The midterm exam probes understanding of foundational concepts and empirical facts presented during the first half (child language development) of this module, preparing students for the Stage 3 module SEL3352.


The team poster involves students in gaining/honing the skills they will need for writing papers. It
develops students' skills in analysis of data from corpora such as TalkBank or from YouTube videos. This assignment give students skills and ideas for further work in second language acquisition, e.g. on an extended study or dissertation and for the Stage 3 module, SEL3012, for which students have to design their own study and collect their own data.


Study abroad assessment: same

General Notes

N/a