Theory and practice of second language learning (P02598)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : EDU-P-P02598

The course will provide participants with an overview of second language pedagogy, past and present. On completion of the course, participants will be able to critically evaluate approaches and methods of teaching second/other languages.

Entry Requirements

? Costs : Students are required to purchase the core texts marked in bold.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of the course will allow participants to:

• gain a clear overview of research methodologies used in research in language
• develop skills in selecting research methods which are the most appropriate to undertake a piece of research in the language area
• analyse the strengths and limitations of different methodologies and methods available to the researcher in the language area
• consider the challenges inherent in embedding research perspectives on learning and teaching in language in practice
• be critically aware of strategies which enhance learning
• be critically aware of different perspectives of language in use
• to plan and undertake well designed independent research

Assessment Information

Participants will be required to write an essay of approximately 4000 words comparing the different approaches to Second Language pedagogy met in this course. Participants will be required to reflect critically on the relative merits of each approach in the light of Second Language Acquisition theory and relate this to their own experience of language learning.