Language Interference: Theory and Practice

Master 2024/2025

Type: Compulsory 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: 1 year, 3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Anastasia Sergeyevna Vyrenkova

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

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

The course explores the concept of language interference in different approaches to Second Language Acquisition. As part of the course, students will learn how typological differences, language input, and proficiency in foreign languages affect language transfer strategies. The course also gives students the opportunity to work with real language data obtained from students of Russian as a foreign language, including pre-processing skills for automatic GEC tasks.

Learning Objectives

Language differences between heritage speakers and foreign language learners;
The influence of language transfer on bilingual and foreign language learners' speech production and its significance for general linguistic analysis;
Developing practical skills in analyzing non-standard speech and using corpora;
Developing students' skills in preprocessing non-standard data to solve GEC tasks, including those that involve machine learning;

Expected Learning Outcomes

Differentiates between types of non-native speakers
Differentiates between SLA approaches to language interference
Describes language interference at different language levels
Describes language transfer if it does not violate the rules of the target language
Operates the notion of compositionality
Distinguishes between the strategies in using constructions by natural and artificial bilinguals
Carries out comparative analysis of linguistic data

Course Contents

Introduction. Learners of foreign languages compared with other types of speakers.
Language Interference: terminology and approaches
Types of language interference
Positive and Negative Transfer
Constructional Violations under Language Interference
Language Interference and Lexical Typology

Assessment Elements

Exam
Classroom activity
Test
Assignment

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 3rd module
0.2 * Assignment + 0.2 * Classroom activity + 0.4 * Exam + 0.2 * Test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Ellis, R., Loewen, S., & Erlam, R. (2006). Implicit and Explicit Corrective Feedback and the Acquisition of L2 Grammar. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0272263106060141
Rakhilina, E., Vyrenkova, A., & Polinsky, M. (2016). Linguistic Creativity in Heritage Speakers. https://doi.org/10.5334/gjgl.90
Selinker, L., & Gass, S. M. (1992). Language Transfer in Language Learning. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=385648
Selinker, L., & Gass, S. M. (2008). Second Language Acquisition : An Introductory Course (Vol. 3rd ed). New York: Taylor & Francis [CAM]. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=216961

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Rod Ellis. (2013). Corrective feedback in teacher guides and SLA. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 1(3), 1–18.

Authors

Vyrenkova Anastasiia Sergeevna
DYACHKOVA ANNA EVGENEVNA

Course Syllabus