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LING362 Second Language Acquisition

Updated: 13 October 2011
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites LING102
Co-requisites None
Restrictions LING462 or LING562 or LING207 or LING307
Notes None
Combined Units LING562 - Second Language Acquisition
Coordinator(s) To be advised
Unit Description

This unit provides an overview of approaches to the study of second language (L2) acquisition. It deals with key linguistic, psycholinguistic and sociocultural theories of how an L2 is acquired. Topics covered include: age-related effects, the role of the first language, the linguistic environment, cognition, learner language, individual differences (e.g. aptitude, motivation and affect) and social dimensions of L2 learning.
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: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Discussions 20%
Assessment Notes
External students: assessable discussion postings on the Bulletin Board. Internal students: in-class presentation and participation
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 and 6 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8
Essay 40% 2000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4 and 6
Online Test 1 20%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2, 4 and 6 GA: 1, 2 and 6
Online Test 2 20%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2, 4 and 6 GA: 1, 2 and 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. describe the principles and issues involved in the study of second language acquisition (SLA);
  2. demonstrate an understanding of 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 field of SLA;
  4. undertake some forms of linguistic analysis in the area of second language learning;
  5. identify and explain differences between major SLA theories presented in this unit, and assess critically the strengths and weaknesses of these;
  6. 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. It is taught by directed study and reading, practised in online/in-class discussions and exercises, and assessed via all assessment tasks. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students involvement in this unit, whether through class discussion or online discussion, 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 all assessment tasks. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
The study of second language acquisition encourages a global and intercultural outlook. 		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 and implement personal learning strategies and study skills that will be valuable throughout their 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
Teamwork is involved in in-class group activities for on-campus students and for off-campus students the online discussions encourage a high level of group awareness and support. It will be assessed via the online discussions and in-class participation. 		True True
   

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