The Acquisition of English Syntax and Morphology
Code: 44030 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4313157 Advanced English Studies | OT | 0 | 0 |
Contact
- Name:
- Mireia Llinās Grau
- Email:
- Mireia.Llinas@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- english (eng)
Prerequisites
A C1 level of English and basic knowledge of linguistics are required to be able follow the course.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This module studies the process of acquiring English as a first and as a second language by analysing how children (L1) and adults (L2) acquire the form of English words and their possible combinations into English sentences. The main objective of the course is for students to understand how L1 and L2 grammars are formed and the shape they take in the two processes.
Competences
- Analyse and synthesise information at an advanced level.
- Apply methodological knowledge of statistical analysis and data generation, treatment and codification of multilingual databases, analysis of literary texts, etc. to research.
- Communicate the knowledge acquired and the contributions of ones research correctly, accurately and clearly both orally and in writing.
- Critically argue, issue judgements and present ideas on the basis of the analysis of information originating from scientific production in these areas.
- Develop autonomous learning skills applicable to the research process.
- Distinguish and contrast between the different methodological and theoretical models applied to the academic study of the acquisition, teaching and use of English as a second language in multilingual and multicultural contexts, literary studies and cultural studies.
- Show respect towards the opinions, values, behaviours and/or practices of others.
- Use the English language for academic and professional purposes related to research into the acquisition, teaching and use of English as a second language in multilingual and multicultural contexts, literary studies and cultural studies.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse and synthesise information at an advanced level.
- Analyse different proposals regarding the acquisition of syntax.
- Analyze data from English syntax of a language corpus to test hypotheses.
- Communicate the knowledge acquired and the contributions of ones research correctly, accurately and clearly both orally and in writing.
- Critically read academic articles on the acquisition of language from a generativist point of view.
- Develop autonomous learning skills applicable to the research process.
- Explain the evolution of the syntax of learners of a second language
- Identify linguistic ideologies that influence multilingualism in different institutional contexts.
- Show respect towards the opinions, values, behaviours and/or practices of others.
- Write advanced level academic texts on the acquisition of language from a generativist point of view.
Content
Unit 1: Introduction to the framework
Unit 2: Morphology and syntax
Unit 3: Language acquisition
Unit 4: The acquisition of English as a first language
Unit 5: The acquisition of English as a second language
Methodology
The methodology of this module is based on lectures to introduce topics, class discussion of texts and practical exercises on acquisition data.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Class discussion | 26 | 1.04 | 2, 4, 9, 5, 7 |
| Lectures to introduce topics | 20 | 0.8 | 3, 2, 8 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Class participation | 20 | 0.8 | 3, 1, 2, 4, 9, 7 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Readings and summaries | 40 | 1.6 | 2, 6, 8, 5 |
| Study and revision of course content | 20 | 0.8 | 2, 5 |
Assessment
Assessment:
Class participation: 25%
Quiz: 25%
Exam: 25%
Essay: 25%
Re-assessment for this subject requires a content-synthesis test which will include all the contents of the course.
The maximum grade than can be obtained through re-assessment is 5.
VERY IMPORTANT: Total or partial plagiary of any of the exercises will automatically be considered “fail” (0) for the plagiarized item. Plagiary is copying one or more sentences from unidentified sources, presenting it as original work (THIS INCLUDES COPYING PHRASES OR FRAGMENTS FROM THE INTERNET AND ADDING THEM WITHOUT MODIFICATION TO A TEXT WHICH IS PRESENTED AS ORIGINAL). Plagiarism is a serious offense. Students must learn to respect the intellectual property of others, identifying any source they may use, and take responsibility for the originality and authenticity of the texts they produce.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class participation | 25% | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 2, 4, 9, 8, 5, 7 |
| Essay | 25% | 6 | 0.24 | 3, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 5, 7 |
| Exam | 25% | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 2, 10, 7 |
| Quiz | 25% | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 2, 10, 7 |
Bibliography
Archibald, John (ed) (2000) Second Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory, Oxford: Blackwell.
Cattel, Ray. (2000) Children’s Language: Consensus and Controversy, London: Cassell.
Crain, Stephen. & Diane Lillo-Martin (1999) An Introduction to Linguistic Theory and Language Acquistion, Oxford: Backwell.
Guasti, Maria Teresa (2002) Language Acquisition. The Growth of Grammar, Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Hawkins, Roger (ed) (2001) Second Language Syntax. A Generative Introduction, Oxford: Blackwell.
Radford, Andrew (2004) Minimalist Syntax. Exploring the Structure of English, Cambridge, C.U.P
Slabakova, Roumyana (2016) Second Language Acquisition, Oxford: O.U.P.
White, Lydia (2003) Second language acquisition and Universal Grammar. (2nd edition) Cambridge: CUP.