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LN5517: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:39


Course Overview

This course is an elective course in HS2 in the MSc TESOL programme. This course is designed to cater for the needs of the students who are interested in how differences among individuals influence the second language acquisition process. 

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Old Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Agni Connor

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • MSc Tesol (Studied)
  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

In order to facilitate the development of analytical skills necessary for identifying topics in Second Language Acquisition that merit further research, this course introduces in an intense five week experience selected psychological factors believed to impact on the success of second language (L2) learning in adults and encourages a critical evaluation of existing research in this area. The concepts introduced include, for example, cognitive and learning style, general cognitive ability, language learning aptitude, language learning styles and strategies, metacognition and working memory. The definitions and measurement of these factors are discussed as well as their relationship with each other and with L2 achievement. Their practical relevance in the L2 classroom is also considered.

Further Information & Notes

This course aims to give students:

1) a strong understanding of the impact of individual differences on Second Language Acquisition (SLA),

2) the ability to think, discuss and write about central issues in the field,

3) the ability to evaluate existing SLA research with a view to identifying topics in SLA that merit further research,

4) the opportunity to develop the skill in relating SLA finding to the second language (L2) classroom.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

2,500-word written assignment (100%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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