Language and Linguistics

Bachelor 2020/2021

Type: Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)

Area of studies: Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

When: 2 year, 1-3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Eliza Aloyan, Kseniia Kindenova, Olga A. Kolykhalova, Evgenia Vasilyeva, Ekaterina Vinogradova, Anastasia Vlasenko, Аксенова Анна Алексеевна

Language: English

ECTS credits: 8

Contact hours: 68

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course ‘English for Language and Linguistics’ is intended for second-year students who are training for the following majors: linguistics, cultural studies, translation and interpreting, teaching methods, philology. In order to master the discipline, students have to: • have achieved the intermediate level of the English language (B1+ / IELTS 5-6 / Int); • be able to use (the) foreign language as a tool to obtain information from foreign sources for educational and self-development purposes; • have a general idea about socio-cultural peculiarities of the country/ies of the foreign language; • be able to communicate efficiently and interact in the process of collaboration, taking in consideration positions of other counterparts; • be able to use major skills of cognitive, research and project activity; • be able to use ICT means for educational purposes. The course ‘English for Language and Linguistics’ is elective for second-year students of National Research University Higher School of Economics. It is designed for students who plan to take a course in the field of language and linguistics entirely or partly in English. The principal aims of the course are to teach students to cope with input texts, i.e., listening and reading, to extend professional vocabulary in the area of linguistics and linguistic studies as well as to develop academic writing skills. The students will be expected to produce output texts in speech and writing throughout the course. The syllabus puts emphasis on key vocabulary for language and linguistics and on words and phrases commonly used in academic English. It covers key facts and concepts of both language and linguistics development and focuses on the skills that will enable students to get the most out of lectures and written texts. Finally, it presents the skills required to take part in seminars and tutorials and to produce essay assignments.

Learning Objectives

The principal objectives of the course are: • the formation of foreign language communicative competencies, including sub-competencies: - Linguistic competence (lexical items and grammar rules knowledge); - Sociolinguistic competence (skills of using and interpretation of linguistic forms according to the situation/context); - Discursive competence (skills of understanding and logical composing of certain statements for the purpose of notional communication); - Strategic competence (skills of using verbal and nonverbal strategies for compensation of lack of knowledge; - Sociocultural competency (certain degree of sociocultural context knowledge); - Social competence (willing and readiness to cooperate with others, skills of situations control). • the formation of academic and professional skills by means of (the) foreign language.

Expected Learning Outcomes

to know key terms and notions from the area of linguistics
to be able to listen for general information and for detail
to be able to take notes in reading/ listening, using different note-taking strategies
to be able to use key vocabulary in spoken and written discourse
to be able to make a summary of written texts
to be able to assess the results of their own/ their partner’s work according to the given criteria
to be able to make a plan of a text while reading
to be able to take notes in reading/listening, using different note-taking strategies
to be able to read for general information and for detail
to know the basics of the structure of language
to be able to present the results of research
to be able to present a talk on a given topic
to know the basics of the history of linguistics
to know most prominent linguists and linguistic schools
to be able to take notes in reading, using different note-taking strategies
to be able to make a presentation
to be able to participate in panel discussion
to know the basics of the history of English
to be able to present the results of the research
to know the basics of the history of English and its spread
to be able to write a paragraph

Course Contents

1. What is Language? What is Linguistics?
the unit introduces the study of language; discusses some facts and misconceptions about language; presents particular features that distinguish human language from other communication systems; provides exercises, discussion questions, activities and further readings related to the study of language
2. Branches of Linguistics
the unit introduces the basics of the structure of language; discusses branches of linguistics; provides exercises, discussion questions, activities and further readings related to the branches of linguistics
3. Great Linguists
the unit discusses how knowledge of language has developed since ancient times; outlines the most prominent linguists and linguistic schools; provides exercises, discussion questions, activities and further readings related to the history of linguistics
4. Brief History of English
the unit introduces the basics of the history of the English Language; describes main periods of the development of English; provides exercises, discussion questions, activities and further readings related to the history of English
5. The Spread of English
the unit discusses the way the English language has spread around the world; outlines the implications of its development as a global language; provides exercises, discussion questions, activities and further readings related to the spread of English

Assessment Elements

oral
oral tasks include a talk, presentations and debates; For rounding the grades there used the following way. Figures 6, 7, 7, 9 are to be rounded upwards to the whole number, for instance 2,6 becomes 3, and vice versa. Figures 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 are rounded downwards, for example, 2,5 becomes 2.
class
the teacher assesses the students’ work during the classes: participation in dialogues and discussions, home assignment and active vocabulary acquisition. Every week the teacher assesses the students’ performance in class- G class; For rounding the grades there used the following way. Figures 6, 7, 7, 9 are to be rounded upwards to the whole number, for instance 2,6 becomes 3, and vice versa. Figures 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 are rounded downwards, for example, 2,5 becomes 2.
final test
For rounding the grades there used the following way. Figures 6, 7, 7, 9 are to be rounded upwards to the whole number, for instance 2,6 becomes 3, and vice versa. Figures 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 are rounded downwards, for example, 2,5 becomes 2
portfolio
The teacher assesses the students’ portfolio at the end of each unit; For rounding the grades there used the following way. Figures 6, 7, 7, 9 are to be rounded upwards to the whole number, for instance 2,6 becomes 3, and vice versa. Figures 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 are rounded downwards, for example, 2,5 becomes 2
written
written tasks include a summary, a paragraph, argumentation; For rounding the grades there used the following way. Figures 6, 7, 7, 9 are to be rounded upwards to the whole number, for instance 2,6 becomes 3, and vice versa. Figures 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 are rounded downwards, for example, 2,5 becomes 2

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (3 module)
0.15 * class + 0.2 * final test + 0.2 * oral + 0.25 * portfolio + 0.2 * written

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Kaplan R. B. (ed.) The Oxford handbook of applied linguistics. – Oxford University Press, 2010.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Aronoff, M., & Rees-Miller, J. (2017). The Handbook of Linguistics (Vol. Second edition). Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1484987

Course Syllabus