Objectives and competences
The objectives of the course are:
• to acquire basic knowledge of the different forms, factors and processes in language acquisition,
• to use basic research methods for the evaluation of the linguistic development of learners,
• understand the importance of the research results in this field for independent study and vocational work.
• to learn to use expressions for special purposes,
• to get acquainted with clear and comprehensible modes in seminar paper production and homework assignments, in paper presentation and discussion.
Content (Syllabus outline)
Theories of language acquisition.
Neurological and cognitive basics of the language acquisition process: The conceptual world through the prism of language.
Language acquisition influence and acceleration factors: typological and environmental, intercultural differences between languages.
Interlanguage systems: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, comparison between first, second and foreign language acquisition.
Early foreign language learning: comparison with late learning schemes.
Research methodology: experiments and other methods.
Research and typology of language errors.
German grammar in foreign language textbooks.
Software for research, self-study and teaching foreign languages (with special consideration of persons suffering from different types of impairment).
Learning and teaching methods
• Seminar,
• Individual work, working in pairs and groups,
• Method of explanation and presentation, method of projection, method of working with pictures, maps and photos, debate and discussion, role play.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
• describe the methods used in language acquisition research
• describe basic claims and important results of dominant language acquisition theories
• report on important scientific outcomes which explain the developmental stages in language acquisition
• compare the characteristic features of different language acquisition types
• apply basic software for the analysis of language acquisition
• apply selected methods (questionaires, analysis of dialogues and other texts, linguistic experiment with software) for hyptothesis testing of (first or second) language knowledge.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
communication skills: writing skills in seminar paper production and homework assignments, oral skills in paper presentation and discussion,
use of information technology: search for linguistic contents in the world wide web, use of special linguistic software and electronic dictionaries and lexicons,
organization skills: to work as team leader during seminars,
solving analytical problems,
to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team during seminars.
Readings
Apeltauer, E. 1997: Grundlagen des Erst- und Fremdsprachenerwerbs. Eine Einführung, Langenscheidt, Berlin.
Larsen-Freeman, D., Long, M. H. 1991: An Introduction to Second Language Acquisition Research, Longman, London.
Müller, N., Kupisch, T., Schmitz, K., Cantone, K. 2006: Einführung in die Mehrsprachigkeitsforschung, Narr, Tübingen.
Wode, H. 1993: Psycholinguistik: eine Einführung in die Lehr- und Lernbarkeit von Sprachen, Max Hueber Verlag, Ismaning.
Zangl. R. 1998: Dynamische Muster in der sprachlichen Ontogenese. Bilingualismus, Erst- und Fremdsprachenerwerb, Narr, Tübingen.
Prerequisits
Prerequisits for acceding the course:
Accomplished course German Language – Morphology.
Conditions for prerequisits:
Accomplished obligations given during seminar.
