Master 2020/2021

Second Language Acquisition

Type: Elective course (Russian as a Foreign Language in Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspective)

Area of studies: Fundamental and Applied Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Linguistics

Where: Faculty of Humanities

When: 2 year, 3 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Instructors: Гагарина Наталья Владимировна, Kristina Litvintseva

Master’s programme: Russian as a Foreign Language in Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspective

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 12

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course (a) aims to develop students’ critical understanding of some general processes and principles of first and second multilingual language acquisition and (b) presents the different techniques used in the field of first and second multilingual language acquisition. The lectures analyse in detail the main theories of language acquisition, i.e. ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ theories, the role of innate vs. acquired knowledge and their connection to the cognitive development. The work with the naturalistic data from the CHILDES data-bank and with the experimental evidence will provide students with the skills necessary to investigate the linguistic material, in general, and with the knowledge on the bilingual acquisition of lexicon, grammar and discourse, in particular.

Learning Objectives

• to introduce students to key notions of the main theories of language acquisition
• to acquaintance students with goals and methods of language acquisition
• to introduce students to main theories of first and second multilingual language acquisition

Expected Learning Outcomes

• understands the main concepts and terms of second language acquisition
• understands the key principles of language research within first and second multilingual language acquisition
• reads and critically assesses current literature of the field of first and second multilingual language acquisition
• makes empirical observations and theoretical generalizations (in English)

Course Contents

• Situation with multilingualism in the world
  Definitions of multilingualism, heritage languages, etc. Simultaneous vs. sequential types of acquisition.
• Multilingual Lexicon
  Theories and methods in multilingual acquisition.
• Experimental and Longitudinal data
  CHILDES database.
• Morphology and syntax in multilingual acquisition
• Discourse, Texts and Narratives
  Macrostructure and microstructure.
• Typical and atypical multilingual language acquisition – how to differentiate?
  Multilingual assessment of language.
• Tests for multilinguals
  NWR, SR, Literacy, Questionnaires.

Assessment Elements

• participation
• home assignment
• экзамен

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (3 module)
  0.4 * home assignment + 0.2 * participation + 0.4 * экзамен

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Keating, G. D. (2016). Second Language Acquisition: The Basics. New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1067690
• Second Language Acquisition: An Introductory Course By: Gass, Susan M; Babb-Rosensfeld; Plonsky, Luke; Behney, Jennifer. Routledge. ISBN: 978-0-415-89478-4, 978-0-415-89495-1, 978-0-203-13709-3, 978-1-136-48877-1, 978-1-136-48879-5, 978-1-136-48880-1, 978-1-299-81206-2. Education (General).

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Baker, D. L., Basaraba, D. L., & Richards-Tutor, C. (2018). Second Language Acquisition: Methods, Perspectives and Challenges. New York: Nova. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1931448