Kommentar |
The focus of this seminar will be on second language acquisition. We will begin by looking at the main processes and developments at work in first language acquisition, and the theories that try to explain what happens in first language acquisition. This will help us to compare the processes and influences at work in second language acquisition and how theories try to explain what happens in second language acquisition. We will then look more closely at the development of a second language at different linguistic levels. Finally, we will consider some additional factors that may play a role in the process of second language acquisition, such as instructional approaches, individual differences between learners, and age. The aim of this seminar is to enable you to pursue your own research in the field of (second) language acquisition and to improve your academic skills, so we will devote some time to reviewing and practicing methods and techniques of academic reading and writing. [DISCLAIMER: This is not a didactics seminar. We are going to study processes and influences in second language acquisition, and we may discuss some implications for teaching English as a second language. However, the didactics of teaching English as a second/foreign language will be discussed in the respective seminars.] |