The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy

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1 The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy CPED 6557: Second Language Acquisition Fall 2013, 8/26-12/2 Dr. Jill Robbins Mondays 5:30-8:00 pm Tel. (301) Graduate Education Center - Arlington jrobbins@gwu.edu Office hours by appointment (before/after class) Course Description and Objectives This course addresses TESOL Standards 1a: Language as a System and 1b: Language Acquisition and Development and ACTFL Standard 3a: Understanding Language Acquisition and Creating a Supportive Classroom by examining and comparing major second language acquisition theoretical issues and research findings and applications for the second/foreign language classroom. In this course students will: 1. Gain an understanding of the nature and complexity of second language acquisition processes and how they affect student learning; 2. Study the differences and similarities between first language development in children and second language acquisition by children and older learners; 3. Relate second language acquisition processes to general learning theories; 4. Identify cognitive variations in second language acquisition, including learning styles and learning strategies. 5. Identify personality and affective factors that influence a student s learning of a second or foreign language; 6. Identify social and cultural aspects of the second language acquisition process; 7. Analyze learners errors and relate them to their stage of language development, proficiency level, and acquisition of communicative competence; 8. Identify different models of instructional delivery in the ESL and foreign language classroom; 9. Investigate the language development of a second language learner and relate findings to research on second language acquisition; and 10. Explore classroom applications of language acquisition theory and research. 1

edu Office hours by appointment (before/after class) Course Description and Objectives This course addresses TESOL Standards 1a: Language as a System and 1b: Language Acquisition and Development and

2 Texts Brown, H. D. (2006). Principles of language learning and teaching. Fifth Edition. White Plains, NY: Pearson Education. Additional assigned readings will consist of research articles from professional journals and chapters from the following books: Atkinson, D. (2011). Alternative approaches to second language acquisition. New York, NY: Routledge. Benson, P. (2011). Teaching and researching autonomy in language learning (2 nd edition). White Plains, NY: Pearson ESL. De Bot, K., Lowie, W., & Verspoor, M. (2006). Second language acquisition: An advanced resource book. New York, NY: Routledge. Dőrnyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner: Individual differences in second language acquisition. New York, NY: Routledge. Dőrnyei, Z. & Ushioda, E. (2010). Teaching and researching motivation (2 nd edition). White Plains, NY: Pearson ESL. Tarone, E. & Swierzbin, B. (2009). Exploring learner language. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Course Requirements Class attendance, punctuality, completion of reading and other assignments, and active participation in class are required. One excused absence is allowed. The following assignments are required: 1. Self-reflection paper 5% 2. Informal case study presentation 5% 3. Expert group report on assigned readings 25% 4. Learning Strategies Diary 10% 5. Individual research project 30% 6. List and description of 5 research web sites for SLA 10% 7. Class Discussion Leader 15% Description of Assignments 1. Reflection on self as a language learner: Write a 1-2 page journal-style reflection on your experiences learning language(s). Some things to think about: effective/non-effective 2

Alternative approaches to second language acquisition. New York, NY: Routledge. Benson, P. (2011). Teaching and researching autonomy in language learning (2 nd edition). White Plains, NY: Pearson ESL.

3 teachers, classroom experiences, traveling or living abroad, interaction with native speakers, and media/internet. 2. Informal Case Study Presentation: You will conduct a case study of a second language learner throughout the semester, culminating in a research project report (see 5). After you identify your subject and collect initial data, you will present this information informally to the rest of the class. These informal presentations will be on October 7 and 14, We will discuss your case study and the class will make suggestions for additional research directions. 3. Expert Group Reports: The class will work in 5 expert groups, with each group working on one topic. The topics are: (1) First and second language acquisition (10/21); (2) Cognitive variation in second language acquisition(10/28); (3) Affective factors in second language acquisition (11/11); (4) Sociocultural factors in second language acquisition (11/18); and (5) Development of second language communicative competence (11/25). Each group member will read at least 2 peer-reviewed research articles on the topic, and then meet with the other group members to plan a one hour presentation to the class. The presentation must have a visual and interactive focus (e.g., through graphic organizers, images, technology, Youtube, game, puzzle, hands-on activity). A rubric for this assignment will be provided. 4. Learning Strategies Diary: You will keep a diary for one week in which you record your own learning strategies and reflect on them. Write 3-4 pages about what you learned. This is due on 10/28/13 (Expert Group 2 on 11/11/13). Specific directions will be provided. 5. Research Project: This individual project will include information from the group informal case study, but with additions and expansions made by the writer, including a review of at least 5 research articles that provide insights into the findings of the case study. The research project should be about 9-10 pages in length and must conform to APA Style for full credit. This assignment is due 12/2/13 and a detailed rubric will be provided. 6. List and description of 5 research web sites for SLA: To demonstrate your competence in using the Internet for research, prepare a list of at least 5 web sites that provide scholarly information on research in second language acquisition. Provide brief descriptions of each web site. This assignment is due 9/23/ Class Discussion Leader: You will sign up to lead one 30-minute class discussion on the assigned reading plus an additional article or book chapter on the same topic. Come to the session with a bulleted outline of the major points of the readings and 4-5 questions to guide the discussion. Make sure to engage everyone in the class so that all have an opportunity to express their ideas. Note: More details about assignments will be provided in class. 3

After you identify your subject and collect initial data, you will present this information informally to the rest of the class. These informal presentations will be on October 7 and 14, 2013.

4 Class Topics and Assignments Reading Session Number Topic Assignment Due Session 1 Introduction and Course Overview August 26 Definitions and Course Requirements Overview of First Language Acquisition Session 2 First and Second Language Acquisition PLLT Ch. 1, 2 September 9 Due: Reflection on Self as a Language Learner Session 3 Human Learning and Second Language PLLT Ch. 4 September 16 Acquisition Session 4 Cognitive Variations in Language Learning: PLLT Ch. 5 September 23 Learning Styles Due: 5 Research Web Sites Session 5 Cognitive Variations in Language Learning Assigned September 30 Learning Strategies Readings Session 6 Personality and Affective Factors in SLA PLLT Ch. 6 October 7 Due: Case Study Presentations Session 7 Motivation Assigned October 14 Analyzing Learner Language Readings Due: Case Study Presentations Session 8 Sociocultural Factors in Second Language PLLT Ch. 7 October 21 Acquisition Due: Expert Report - Group 1 Session 9 Communicative Competence PLLT Ch. 8 October 28 and Error Analysis Due: Expert Report - Group 2 Due: Learning Strategies Diary (except for Expert Group 2) Session 10 Contrastive Analysis, Interlanguage, PLLTCh.9 November 4 and Error Analysis 4

4 September 16 Acquisition Session 4 Cognitive Variations in Language Learning: PLLT Ch.

5 Reading Session Number Topic Assignment Due Session 11 Second Language Acquisition in Assigned November 11 Immersion Classrooms Readings Due: Expert Report Group 3 Due: Learning Strategies Diary (Expert Group 2) Session 12 Theoretical Perspectives PLLT Ch. 10 November 18 Due: Expert Report Group 4 Session 13 Practical Applications of Second Language Acquisition Theory November 25 Due: Expert Report - Group 5 Session 14 December 2 Due: Research Project Note: PLLT = Principles of Language Learning and Teaching 5

10 November 18 Due: Expert Report Group 4 Session 13 Practical Applications of Second Language Acquisition Theory November 25

STANDARDS FOR ENGLISH-AS-A-SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHERS

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