Μάθημα : Theories of second/foreign language acquisition/learning

MA in Applied Linguistics

Course: Theories of second language acquisition/learning

Tutor: Sophia Papaefthymiou-Lytra

Spring 2012

The course is designed for students of applied linguistics with an interest in acquiring a strong background in the linguistic, cognitive, interactional and social foundations of language and, in particular, of interlanguage  -- English as a foreign language, a well as  in research methodology and a desire to apply this new-found knowledge to real-world situations as well as classroom situations where English is learnt and used as a means of communication with N and NN speakers alike

As a result of this integrative approach, student research will focus on understanding learner interlanguage development in EFL with particular reference to the Greek learner of English by exploring and developing Greek learner corpora in EFL. Students will feed this knowledge into the development of theoretical models for the study of phenomena such as classroom language learning and teaching, language assessment, languages in contact and English as a lingua franca among others.

For assessment purposes, students will be expected 1) to complete corpora research in an area related to language acquisition/learning and 2) to present their findings in writing as well as orally in class demonstrating the connection between theory and language learning/use bringing critical acumen to situations involving classroom language learning and teaching, language assessment, languages in contact and English as a lingua franca among others.

Bibliography

Βrown, H. Douglas. 2007.  Principles of language learning and teaching.  London:

              Pearson/Longman

Ellis, R. 1999 Input-based approaches to teaching grammar: A review of classroom-

               oriented research, Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 19, 64-80.

Granger   Sylviane. 2003.  The international corpus of learner English: A new

                resource for foreign language learning and teaching and second language

                acquisition research.  TESOL Quarterly, Vol 37/3  (538- 546).

Halliday  M.A.K. 1975. Learning how to mean-Explorations in the Development of

                Language London: Edward Arnold

Kellerman, E. 1995 Crosslinguistic influence: Transfer to nowhere? Annual Review of

               Applied Linguistics, 15, 125-150.

Papaefthymiou-Lytra Sophia. 2009.  ‘Communicating and Learning Strategies: Two

                Faces of the same coin’. Journal of Applied  Linguistics, Vol. 25 (27-46).

Papaefthymiou-Lytra, Sophia. 1987b.  Language, Language Awareness and Foreign

                Language Learning.  Athens: The University of Athens Press.                                                     

Papaefthymiou-Lytra, Sophia. 1987a.    Communicating and Learning Strategies in

                English as a  Foreign  Language  with Particular Reference to the Greek

                Learner of English.  Saripolos Library No 65. School of Philosophy. Athens:

               The University of Athens.

Young, R. 1999 Sociolinguistic approaches to SLA. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics,

                19, 105-132.