Course Syllabus

  1. Course Title/Course Number/Section Number 

Second Language Acquisition Z432 - 23978

Second Language Development Z520 - 23977

2. Course Description (as it appears in the course catalog)

An introduction to a broad range of issues in the field of second language acquisition, providing the student with an overview of the most important approaches to the fundamental questions of how people learn a second language. Provides students with basic knowledge of theories of second language acquisition and an understanding of how theoretical perspectives inform practical application. Introduction to linguistic, psychological, cognitive, social, and sociocultural approaches to second language development. Explores relationship between second language development and such topics as age, gender, motivation, cognition, and cross-linguistic and sociological influences.

3. Meeting dates 

Tuesday, 5-7:40 pm, Zoom

4. Course delivery (e.g. In-person, online, hybrid, etc.) 

Synchronous online 

5. Course Learning Objectives/Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • to understand the various factors that seem to influence second language development;
  • to understand basic theories about the processes of second language development, including grammatical, pragmatic, intercultural, and symbolic competencies, as well as identity development and re-construction;
  • to reflect critically on issues in the field of SLA;
  • to reflect critically on the implications of these theories, issues, and factors for the teaching and learning of additional languages (i.e. languages other than the first) in both tutored and untutored settings;
  • to improve your academic writing, including the appropriate scholarly use of previously published literature, linguistic data, citations, quotations, and bibliographic apparatus.

6. Due dates for assignments/exams (dates are subject to change with adequate notification) 

Reading annotations and discussions due every Tuesday by class time 

Case study part 1 - Sep 23 

Case study part 2 - Oct 28 

Case study part 3 - Nov 25 

Case study part 4 (Z520 only) - Dec 16 

7. Grading weights/scales.

 

Final grades in ENG Z432 will be distributed approximately according to the following course assignment list and grade distribution:

 

Weekly reading responses and presentation/discussion leading  

 

30%

Online Assignments, e.g. Discussion, Quizzes, Other        

 

30%

Group Mini-Case Study Project (Stages 1 & 2)                 

 

10%

Presentation of Group Mini-Case Study Project (Stage 3) 

 

20%

Active Participation                                                     

 

10%

 

Final grades in ENG Z520 will be distributed approximately according to the following course assignment list and grade distribution:

 

Weekly reading responses and presentation/discussion leading            

35%

Group Mini-Case Study Project (Stages 1 & 2)                          

5%

Formative Presentation of Group Mini-Case Study Project (Stage 3)

5%

Final Written Paper of Group Mini-Case Study Project (Stage 4)

25%

Live Video Group Discussion Leading of One (1) Reading         

10%

Online Assignments, e.g. Discussion, Quizzes, Other                 

10%

Active Participation                                                              

10%