95310 - Second Language Acquisition

Learning outcomes

The student knows the basic features (terms, concepts and methods) relevant for the understanding of the process of acquiring non-native languages. The student is able to: - understand, describe and critically evaluate the main theoretical approaches to second language acquisition - understand and describe the psychological and social aspects of second language acquisition, and the roles of the native language and the input - understand how experiments and learner corpora are used in the study of second language acquisition - apply the gained knowledge to language teaching and translation contexts

Course contents

Within this course the students will learn about the main theoretical approaches to second language acquisition (generative, usage-based, functional), as well as the psychological and social aspects of the acquisition process, with a focus on factors such as language aptitude and the impact of the learning context. Attention will also be given to cross-linguistic influence (especially the influence of the learners' native language), input and prospects for achieving native-like competence in a non-native language. Different methods used in second language acquisition research will be presented, as well as possible practical applications of research findings in this area.

The students will also have the opportunity to add a topic of their own choosing through a final presentation.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching and reading materials will be made available on the Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

Mostly frontal instruction. The final classes will be dedicated to student presentations.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on a written exam (80% of the final grade) and the presentation (20% of the final grade).

Class attendance is not compulsory, but it is reccommended. Students partially unable to attend due to overlaps with compulsory courses, as well as non-attending students, should get in touch with the lecturer within the first two weeks of the semester.

Assessment scale

30-30L: Broad and in-depth knowledge of course contents, excellent ability to apply theoretical concepts in practice, excellent presentation skills, as well as excellent ability to analyse and synthesise.

27-29: Detailed and complete knowledge of course contents, good ability to apply theoretical concepts in practice, good ability to analyse and synthesise, good presentation skills.

24-26: Appropriate knowledge of course contents, fair ability to apply theoretical concepts in practice, fair presentation skills.

21-23: Appropriate but not detailed knowledge of course contents, partial ability to apply theoretical concepts in practice, acceptable presentation skills.

18-20: Sufficient but somewhat vague knowledge of course contents, basic presentation skills, uncertainties in the application of theoretical concepts in practice.

<18 (Fail): Fragmentary and superficial knowledge of course contents, errors in applying theoretical concepts in practice, poor presentation skills.

Teaching tools

All teaching materials (slides, audio/video materials) will be made available on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Maja Milicevic Petrovic