Introducing Second Language Acquisition

Second Language Acquisition/Linguistics (Grundschullehramt)

This moodle course accompanies the seminar "Second Language Acquisition/Linguistics" (Studiengang Grundschullehramt, Fach Englisch, 1. Modul "Introducing Second Language Acquisition").

Course description:

How do humans acquire a second language after their first? This question is at the heart of the field of Second Language Acquisition (or SLA). SLA is a truly interdisciplinary field, as it draws on knowledge from disciplines such as linguistics, pedagogy, neurology and psycholinguistics. SLA not only helps us better understand the nature of language in general; it can also inform and improve language teaching.

In this seminar, we will familiarize ourselves with the basic tenets and contemporary theories of how second languages are acquired or learned. We will approach the wide and complex field of SLA by looking for answers to some of its key questions:

  • What are learners equipped with at the outset of learning a second language?
  • What does second language development look like?
  • What is similar and what varies from learner to learner?
  • What is the role of (teacher) input and instruction?

As a basis, we will read chapters from a beginner-friendly textbook (VanPatten et al. 2020). In addition, we will discuss seminal publications and recent studies.

The goal is to enable participants to navigate the plethora of research in order to reflect on the key questions mentioned above and to implement these insights into their language teaching.

This seminar will be held entirely online (in WT 21/22). All reading will be provided in digital form. The primary language of communication in the seminar is English, with German serving as an additional language.