Course syllabus

SEMESTER 2, 2017
Course Information

• Course Coordinator 

Lizzy Roe - l.roe@auckland.ac.nz

 Course delivery format

 One 2-hour lecture per week

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

Summary of Course Description              

This is an introductory course on the basic principles of second language learning and the implications of the principles for classroom teaching. You will have an opportunity to understand the processes of second language learning by reading class materials, evaluating and critiquing research findings, analyzing and interpreting second language data, and working on homework assignments and projects where theory meets practice. The course is organized around major themes or topics related to learner-internal (cognition and individual differences) and leaner-external factors (environment). 

Course outcomes

This course aims to develop an understanding of how languages are learned and how language learning theories can inform language instruction. By the end of this course students will

• have had a general view of the factors that affect second language learning
• be able to explain the basic language learning theories and models
• be able to apply what they have learned to evaluate, analyze, and critique language instruction practices

 Weekly Topics

Week 1: First language acquisition
Week 2: Individual differences: aptitude, learning styles, personality, motivation
Week 3: Individual differences: age, working memory
Week 4: Second language acquisition: Behaviourism, UG
Week 5: Second language acquisition: Social contexts - input and interaction
Week 6: Second language acquisition: Socio-cultural theory, input processing, processability
Week 7: Learner language
Week 8: Learning and teaching: teacher talk
Week 9: Corrective feedback
Week 10: Dynamics of group work
Week 11: Popular ideas; final assignment preparation
Week 12: In-class assignment

Prescribed Texts:
Textbook: Lightbown, P., & Spada, N. (2013). How languages are learned (4^th edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press
The book is now available for purchase at UBS (the University Book Shop) on campus (in the Kate Edger Information Commons building).

Online Readings   
Online Readings: Other required readings are made available through Canvas - under 'Modueles'. 

Workload:
The University of Auckland's expectation on 15-point courses, is that students spend 10 hours per week on the course. Students manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Students attend two hours of lectures each week. This leaves eight hours per week outside the classroom to prepare for lectures, assignments and the exam. Understanding class materials is critical to the completion of homework assignments and in-class tasks. The lectures are interactive and you are expected to actively participate in class discussions and activities.

Deadlines and submission of coursework:

Deadlines for coursework are non-negotiable. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you will be required to provide a doctor's certificate before the assignment is due. All late assignments without a pre-approved extension will be penalised 5% per day late.