ELT506 SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
| Course Code: | 8200506 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | English Language Teaching |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assist.Prof.Dr MÜGE GÜNDÜZ |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to familiarize students with the main theories and models of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), the factors that affect language acquisition processes and the current research carried out in the field. Topics to be covered in this course include old and current theories and models of SLA, age and critical period hypothesis, interlanguage, the learner environment, individual differences, aptitude, cognition, affect, motivation, and social dimensions of learning.
It is hoped that by the end of the terms students will have detailed, multilateral answers and understanding of the main questions in the SLA field:
(i) How do humans learn additional languages after they have learned their first?
(ii) What factors contribute to the variability observed in rates and outcomes of second language learning?
(iii) What does it take to attain advanced language and literacy competencies in a language other than the mother tongue?
Course Content
Surveying current research in language acquisition with special emphasis on similarities and differences between child and adult language, between native and foreign language acquisition
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to
*use linguistic terms and concepts related to SLA appropriately where/when necessary
*explain and exemplify how humans learn additional languages after they have learned their first
*categorise, compare and contrast the basic theories, method and findings in the field of SLA
*demonstrate an understanding of the nature of SLA data, and data collection and analysis techniques, and the way in which these differ from data and methodologies in other areas of Linguistics
*provide a reasoned and structured analysis of various texts related to SLA
*conduct and report research projects that exploring SLA topics
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | demonstrate awareness of theoretical and applied knowledge about contemporary approaches, methods and techniques and use this awareness effectively in practice for various educational settings. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | synthesize, critically assess, and improve theoretical and practical findings on contemporary research. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | evaluate the existing instructional procedures, methods and techniques and make suggestions to improve new ones. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | carry out studies with a scientific point of view in order to meet the educational needs in national and international contexts with the aim of making contributions to the field. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | demonstrate the necessary skills to conduct independent research with scientific research methods and share research findings at academic meetings or other settings both orally and in written form. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | evaluate national and international instructional materials, exams and programs and design new ones. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | analyze innovative theories, applications and tools, and conduct research to suggest new ones. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | investigate the cultural differences and similarities that can be found in countries where English is spoken as native, second and foreign language, and use this knowledge to improve national English learning and teaching practices. | ✔ | |||
| 9 | analyze the theories and applications about the acquisition of English language as a second and foreign language and applied linguistics, and use this knowledge in relation to English language teaching and learning. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution