98891 - LANGUAGE POLICY AND MULTILINGUALISM

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing students with the theoretical bases and the methodologies of second/foreign language learning and teaching; the historical background of the field and its current connection to the evolution of research on second language acquisition as well as to contemporary factors (ie.: multimedia technologies, multilingualism, the intercultural dimension in the everyday communication and the European language policies). On the practical level, students will be able to apply the components of the teaching process (ie.: needs analysis, definition of language aims, language syllabus design, elaboration and implementation of a language teaching unit, etc.) to a range of different teaching/learning contexts.

Course contents

The course provides and introduction to:

- the sociolinguistics of language and of society.
- Language maintenance and shift.
- Bi-and multilingual studies.

Il will then focus on:
- Monolingual ideology. - Multilingualism in society. - Language planning.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliographical references will be provided throughout the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral examination on the program in order to evaluate the acquisition of the basic notions of language policy and multilingualism and the ability to critically re-elaborate what was addressed during the course.

The correct use of the terminology of the discipline, the rigor in the presentation and argumentation, the achievement of a global vision of the topics addressed during the course and the ability to propose links between the different topics will be positively appreciated. On the other hand, the mnemonic exposure of the contents and the presence of logical leaps and gaps will be evaluated negatively.

Teaching tools

The material (readings, slides used in class, etc.) will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" e-learning platform.

Office hours

See the website of Rachele Antonini