Topics in Second Language Acquisition

Course Number: 82-388

This course provides an overview of the fundamental questions, theories, methodologies, and findings of second language (L2) speech research. Choose from two sections: Research Methods in Second Language Acquisition or Second Language Speech.

SECTION A: Language Policy and Planning

According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, "Decisions around language policy and planning are made around the globe every day, both formally by governments and informally by scholars and community leaders. These decisions influence the right to use and maintain languages, affect language status and determine which languages are nurtured. Language policy and planning decisions have a major impact on language vitality and, ultimately, on the rights of the individual." In this course, we will discuss the main concepts, theories and research paradigms associated with the field of Language Policy and Planning (LPP) in multilingual educational contexts at the international, national, local or institutional levels. Specific topics may include: official language decisions, language standardization, instructional medium choices, foreign/heritage/second language pedagogy and policy, indigenous language revitalization efforts, mother tongue instruction, language rights and linguistic landscape.

SECTION B: Race, Gender, Sexual and Social Class Identities in SLA

SECTION C: Instructed Second Language Acquisition

This graduate course examines theoretical, empirical and pedagogical perspectives on how instruction shapes second language acquisition and development. Topics include skill development (listening, speaking, reading, writing and integrated skills), acquisition of linguistic and pragmatic features, key issues in instructed second language acquisition (ISLA; e.g., interaction, focus on form, individual differences) and the role of emerging technologies (e.g., AI) in ISLA in classroom settings. Students will also explore classroom-based and action research to connect theory with instructional practice.

These courses are cross-listed as 82-888.

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Units: 9
Prerequisite(s): None

Format