EL7050 - Investigating Second Language Acquisition

The module will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures and seminars. Key themes and concepts will be introduced in lectures, supported by in-class discussions, guided-debates, and further exploration activities. All subject areas and theoretical debates within the module will be supported by reference to relevant literature, which you will read outside of class to further develop your knowledge and understanding of the field.

In addition to learning during taught hours with the module tutor, you will be expected to undertake both directed and independent learning. Directed learning will generally take the form of suggested weekly readings, relevant to that week’s research topic, and preparation for seminars where you will be expected to contribute to group work and full class discussion. Seminars will also contribute to the development of intellectual, transferable and practical skills. Independent learning will generally take the form of further reading and investigation, the consolidation of lecture and seminar notes, and revision/preparation for the assessment of the module.

All learning materials, tasks and readings will be posted on the eLP (e-learning portal) to facilitate full participation in the module. Additionally, you will receive formative feedback from your tutor. The module’s final, summative assessment will also provide an opportunity for learning.

The module aims to expand your critical understanding of different, and often competing theoretical and empirical perspectives within second language acquisition. Lectures, seminars and tasks will develop your academic knowledge and skills, to help you attain the module learning outcomes. Your academic development will also be facilitated through engagement with the academic literature and by talking with your peers and the module tutor about your understanding of this literature (i.e. reading around the topic, and discussing and reflecting upon what you have read).

The module handbook provides details of lectures, seminars, reading lists and assessment criteria; lecture materials are made available on the eLP (see above). The module tutor will be available in lectures and seminars, as well as in ‘Feedback and consultation hours’ (i.e. ‘office hours’) and on email, to discuss any queries or concerns you have about how to excel academically on the module. Formative feedback will be provided both throughout lecture/seminar activities. Written feedback will also be provided on a formative essay plans, delivered towards the end of the semester.

In addition, you have a designated Personal Tutor throughout the entire duration of your programme. The academic side of the Personal Tutor’s role includes: monitoring your ongoing academic progress; helping you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development; directing you to further available services which can help them with their academic skills (e.g. Library’s Skills Plus). You are advised to meet with your Personal Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. to consolidate and develop students' understanding of second language acquisition and contemporary ideas about how second languages are acquired.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. ability to critically apply, interpret and present knowledge both orally and in writing.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical and practical issues as they relate to second language acquisition, including methods of data collection and analysis.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
3. Demonstrate intellectual openness to different theoretical perspectives and empirical methods of enquiry.

Formative assessment
1. For formative assessment students submit a 500 word (approx.) outline of their essay prior to submission; the outline is then discussed with the module tutor and feedback is given. Ongoing formative assessment/feedback will take place during seminars as part of the continual process of group discussion and analysis of data.

Feedback from formative assessment will assist in the preparation of the course essay. Feedback on summative work will be delivered according to the existing protocols of the Department of Humanities, with comments on feedback sheets. Feedback will encourage and facilitate reflective learning.

Summative (graded) Assessments
1. 4000-word data set analysis
Students will be required to write one 4000 word essay on topics discussed in the lectures and seminars. In the essay, they will be required to show how empirical findings relate to the theories discussed in the lectures.
The essay assessment will be part of the learning process, and addresses all four MLOS.

Feedback will be provided using the Programme template and comments on the script.

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This module will provide you with a platform to explore and engage with theoretical and empirical concepts central to understanding second language acquisition. It will enable you to develop a critical understanding of the theoretical and practical issues as they relate to second language acquisition, including methods of data collection and analysis and thus allow you to critically evaluate the theories and research of others. You will also reflect critically on changes in theoretical perspectives of second language acquisition as well as examining more contemporary ideas about how second languages are acquired.