Skip navigation to main content

You are here: UNE Home / Course and Unit Catalogue / 2010 / A-Z / LING462

Sub sections:

Quick Search

Quick Links

Year:

LING462 Second Language Acquisition

Updated: 19 January 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 1 On line E - Wholly online unit
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites LING450 or LING453
Restrictions LING207 or LING307 or LING362
Notes None
Combined Units LING362 - Second Language Acquisition
Coordinator(s) Christina Levisen (clevise3@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit provides an overview of approaches to the study of second language acquisition (SLA). It deals with key linguistic, psycholinguistic and sociocultural theories of how language is acquired or learned. Topics covered include: the nature of learner language, competence versus performance, interlanguage, the role of input and interaction, transfer, linguistic universals, bilingual acquisition, individual learner differences such as age, learning style, motivation and personality, and second language acquisition in instructed environments. Web access is essential.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Understanding Second Language Acquisition
ISBN: 9780340905593
Ortega, L., Hodder Education 2009
Text refers to: Semester 1 , Online
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 20%
Assessment Notes
Short answer assignment
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 3 GA: 1, 2 and 6
Bulletin Board 20%
Assessment Notes
Assessed Bulletin board and online activities
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 5 GA: 1, 2, 4 and 6
Essay 40% 4000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 3, 4, 5 GA: 1, 2 4 and 6
Mandatory Quiz 1 10%
Assessment Notes
Online quiz 1 (mandatory)
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2, 5 GA: 1, 2 and 6
Mandatory Quiz 2 10%
Assessment Notes
Online quiz 2 (mandatory)
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2, 5 GA: 1, 2 and 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate familiarity with the principles and issues involved in the study of second language acquisition;
  2. understand the major linguistic and applied linguistic terms and concepts raised in the context of this unit;
  3. discuss critically the major issues and themes raised in the unit, and apply this knowledge at a graduate level;
  4. undertake some forms of linguistic analysis and research in the area of second language learning and selected areas of applied linguistics at a graduate level;
  5. increase their knowledge of online software, and develop a new appreciation of online collaborative work.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students will deepen their knowledge of the discourse and major concerns of the discipline particularly in relation to the principles and issues involved in the study of second language acquisition (SLA). It is taught by directed study and reading, practised in online tutorial and exercises, and assessed via all assessment tasks. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students involvement in this unit will foster the ability to communicate effectively; encourage students to find, organise and present information effectively; and to construct coherent and well-reasoned arguments. These skills will be assessed via online discussions and written assignments. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
The study of applied linguistics encourages a global and intercultural outlook. Second language learning is an activity with a global scope and importance. 		True
4 Information Literacy
Students are required to make independent use of the internet to supplement their reading for research projects/essays based on guidelines for literature search and database use provided in the unit. It is assessed via the bulletin board activities and the essay. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
This unit provides the opportunity for students to identify, evaluate anbd implement personal learning strategies and skills that will be valuable throughout life. 		True
6 Problem Solving
The assessment and general approach emphasises logical analytical-style problem solving and critical analysis. It is assessed in all assessment tasks. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
This unit will develop students' sense of the relationships that hold between language structures and social organisation. We hope that the ability to make connections between language use and wider socio-political issues makes students more socially responsible. 		True
8 Team Work
The participation in online forums is intended to build teamwork confidence and collaborative skills in extending the group's knowledge and in dealing with shared problems. 		True
   

Email to a friend