ET5601 Second Language Acquisition

Academic year

2023 to 2024 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Only available to students on a PGT and PGR TESOL Distance Learning programmes.

Planned timetable

Not applicable

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Mrs K Tavakoli

Mrs K Tavakoli
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Kerry Tavakoli, Kirsty McCall

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module focuses on how subsequent languages are learned after the first/native language. Theories of language acquisition will be evaluated, from behaviourism to current theory. Students need to trace the development of such theories in order to consider what each theory offers. Ways in which all learners appear to follow a similar route will be considered before making a detailed study of individual learner differences, in particular levels of motivation and the development and application of language learning strategies. The module then investigates how theories of language acquisition inform teaching, and the lack of interface between research and practice will be discussed.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

N/A (distance learning)

Scheduled learning hours

29

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

125

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • explain the main theories of language acquisition and how they interact
  • summarise the main contributions of key second language acquisition theorists to the field of language teaching
  • relate second language acquisition theories and research to language teaching
  • analyse individual learner differences and relate them to learner language development
  • engage with the complex nature of language learning strategies