Second Language Acquisition: Theories and Research

Course Number: 82-783

This course reviews the field of second language acquisition (SLA) in order to provide students with an understanding of the way in which second languages are learned and acquired. The course will survey various theories of second language acquisition (e.g., Innateness and Universal Grammar, Connectionism, Input/Output, sociocultural theory), and their claims will be examined in the light of recent research findings.

The course will also examine the impact of internal and external variables on second language acquisition and development. Some topics include the role of the learning environment in language acquisition, explanations for differences in success among second language learners, variations in second language use and the effect of classroom instruction on second language acquisition. The course also aims to compare methodologies, contexts and results of the various studies, categorizing patterns and tendencies in their approaches to research, as well as the results of the research.

Degree: Graduate
Concentrations: Ph.D. in ALSLA, M.A. in ALSLA–Adv Study, M.A. in ALSLA
Semester(s): Fall, Spring