SEL8690 : Advanced Topics in Second Language Acquisition
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sujeewa Hettiarachchi
- Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will advance students’ critical understanding of key theories of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), and teach them advanced-lvevel methods in SLA research. It will explore how acquisition contexts (e.g. classroom learning vs. community acquisition), external factors (e.g. cognitive, psychological, social) and literacy interact in the acquisition process. It will also examine how universals and first-language transfer affect second language acquisition across the different linguistic domains (morpho-syntax, phonology, lexicon). Students will explore empirical data to design viable research questions into current topics in SLA.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module will cover some of the following:
1. Different theories of second language acquisition
2. Instructed versus uninstructed second language learning
3. Cognitive, psychological and social perspectives on second language acquisition
4. Literacy and second language development
5. First-language transfer in second language acquisition (across different linguistic domains)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 49:00 | 49:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 48:00 | 48:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| SEL3430 | Advanced Second Language Acquisition |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
LECTURES are used, primarily, to impart information and provide an overall coherence for the module. SMALL GROUP TEACHING is used to support and consolidate students’ understanding of their guided independent study and for the design of their research assignments. GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY is used for the preparation of seminar exercises as well as for the preparation and completion of assignments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research paper | 1 | A | 50 | 2,000-word research paper |
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 50 | 2,000-word data analysis & interpretation exercise |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The PROBLEM-SOLVING EXERCISE tests students’ problem-solving and analytical skills. – The RESEARCH REPORT tests students’ presentation and argumentation skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL8690's Timetable