Course syllabus

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SEMESTER 2, 2018

15 points

 
Course Convenor and Teacher: 

Professor John Read

Email: ja.read@auckland.ac.nz

Phone:  DDI +64-9-923-7673; Extension 87673

Arts 2/CLL Building, 18 Symonds St, Room 206

 

Course delivery format:

One two-hour class per week on Tuesdays, 4-6 pm.

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

 

Course Description:              

 At the core of second language learning is the acquisition of the vocabulary of the language. Even at quite advanced levels, learners are conscious of the limitations of their vocabulary knowledge as they undertake both receptive and productive tasks which go beyond everyday communication. The vocabulary of English is vast and even native speakers do not know most of the words in the language. Thus, achieving an adequate vocabulary is a major challenge for learners and they need guidance as to how to approach the task most effectively. Formal teaching of words in the classroom can play only a small part, particularly beyond the beginning level of proficiency; learners need to have effective strategies for expanding the size and depth of their vocabulary knowledge. Knowing a word means more than just memorising the meaning or the equivalent word in L1 – there are various other aspects of word knowledge to be acquired. More and more, we are also recognising that the vocabulary consists of phrases, collocations, fixed expressions and other multi-word units as well as just words.

These are some of the ideas explored in this course. Although it gives a lot of attention to basic concepts in vocabulary studies and findings from the rapidly growing body of research on second language vocabulary learning, the course also considers the practical matters of how to focus on vocabulary in language teaching in ways that will help learners to expand and enrich their knowledge.

The course assessment is based on two assignments. One consists of an evaluation of a research article on second language vocabulary acquisition. The second assignment involves designing a plan for vocabulary learning and/or teaching for a particular purpose, which could be tutoring or self-study or any of a range of educational contexts.

There is currently no textbook for the course. The resource materials for each topic consist of selected journal articles and book chapters.

 Course outcomes:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate a good understanding of the nature of vocabulary
  2. analyse the vocabulary content of particular texts
  3. set appropriate vocabulary learning goals for their learners
  4. apply research findings to designing the vocabulary component of a language course
  5. discuss current issues in vocabulary learning and teaching.

 

Assessment Summary:

Assignment 1, 40%, due in late August (2500 words)

Assignment 2, 60%, due in late October (3500 words)

 

Weekly Topics:

  1. The nature of vocabulary
  2. The components of vocabulary knowledge
  3. Teaching vocabulary in the classroom
  4. Vocabulary needs for reading and listening comprehension
  5. Incidental vocabulary acquisition through reading and listening
  6. Vocabulary use through speaking and writing
  7. Vocabulary learning strategies
  8. Memorising techniques in vocabulary learning
  9. Collocation and formulaic language
  10. Vocabulary for specific purposes
  11. Designing a vocabulary learning programme
  12. Vocabulary assessment

 

Recommended Text:

Nation, I.S.P. (2013). Learning vocabulary in another language. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.

Course summary:

Date Details Due