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:
- Montserrat Capdevila Batet
- Email:
- Montserrat.Capdevila@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- english (eng)
Teachers
- Mireia Llinās Grau
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. The course introduces students to the main theories of language acquisition.
Competences
- Analyse and synthesise information at an advanced level.
- Analyse the relationship between factors, processes or phenomena in the acquisition of English as a second language, its learning and teaching methods, and its literature, history and culture.
- 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 second-language-learner syntax.
- 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.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Class discussion | 26 | 1.04 | 2, 4, 10, 5, 8 |
| Lectures to introduce topics | 20 | 0.8 | 3, 2, 9 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Class participation | 20 | 0.8 | 3, 1, 2, 4, 10, 8 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Readings and summaries | 40 | 1.6 | 2, 6, 9, 5 |
| Study and revision of course content | 20 | 0.8 | 2, 5 |
Assessment
The teaching methodology and the evaluation proposed in the guide may undergo some modification subject to the onsite teaching restrictions imposed by health authorities.
In the event that tests or exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.
Exam 1: 25%
Exam 2: 25%
Assignment 1: 20%
Assignment 2: 20%
Class participation: 10%
Re-assessment for this subject requires a content-synthesis test which will include all the contents of the course.
Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items
The maximum grade than can be obtained through re-assessment is 5.
On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
PLAGIARISM: In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | 20% | 5 | 0.2 | 1, 2, 4, 10, 9, 5, 8 |
| Class participation | 10% | 2 | 0.08 | 3, 1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 7, 9, 5, 8 |
| Exam 1 | 25% | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 2, 11, 7, 5, 8 |
| Exam 2 | 25% | 6 | 0.24 | 3, 1, 2, 4, 10, 6, 11, 7, 9, 5, 8 |
| assignment 2 | 25% | 5 | 0.2 | 1, 2, 11, 8 |
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.
Software
The course does not require specific software.