SLAT2001 INTRO TO SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING

INTRODUCTION
WEEK 1
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WELCOME TO INTRO TO SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING!!

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OUTLINE OF THE CLASS TODAY

Aims/objectives Overview of the course
Class structure Textbook Staff Assessment

Second language learning and acquisition

Popular ideas about second language learning

Background survey
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AIMS
1. to provide an introduction to the study of second language learning and teaching 2. to introduce a range of theoretical models of second language learning 3. to examine the contribution of applied linguistics in the field of second language teaching; in particular, the evolution of different approaches to language curriculum over the past fifty years
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OBJECTIVES
After successfully completing this course you should be able to: 1. Relate your understanding of the process of second language learning to your own language learning 2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the process of second language learning in the classroom 3. Understand wide issues surrounding classroom second language learning 4. Discuss the history and development of second and foreign language teaching methodology
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ABOUT THE COURSE (ECP)

Class structure

Textbook
Spada & Lightbown (2006). How languages are learned (3rd Ed). Oxford: OUP

Blackboard

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Lecture Lecture Small group discussion Activity Tutorial (Sign on SiNet) Discussion implications for teaching Activity Preparation for assessment
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ASSESSMENT (ECP)
#1 #2 Reflective essay (25%) - 19 August Reflect on your learning a second/foreign language

Field report (35%) 21 September Classroom observation OR Data analysis

Essay (40%) 25 October
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#3
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LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE

What do you know?

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ANECDOTES
1. My grandma came to Australia from Italy when she was eighteen, and has lived here for 50 years, but still doesnt speak English very well.
2. I studied French for five years at high school, but I cant speak at all.
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(CONTD)
3. I repeat the same sentence many times hoping I wont make mistakes, but I still make the same mistakes when I speak. 4. After I spent 2 months in Japan over summer, my Japanese has become very fluent. 5. Any other anecdotes?

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WHY?

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ANY THOUGHTS?

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1. Length of stay living here for 50+ years Motivation did she have to learn English? Psychological distance

2. 5 years at high school Second language learning Knowledge of grammar Communication

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(CONTD)
3. Mistakes and error correction Language learning is NOT habit formation. Learners go through one stage to another What you learned as knowledge is not necessarily what you can produce. 4. Exposure to language Push learners to understand and use the language will help learners improve fluency.
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LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE (L2)

Translating from L2 to L1 doesnt work Can we associate all L2 words with action and notion? Is it an efficient way to learn a L2 word? Learning a L2 is the same as learning a mother tongue (first language, L1). Is it true? Cant we use our L1 to learn a L2?

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SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING/ACQUISITION (SLL / SLA)

Second language (SL, L2)
What is it?

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(CONTD)
1. the process of learning another language after the native language (L1) has been learned

2. the study of how second languages are learned

1. the study of how learners create a new language system with only limited exposure to a second language and what is not learned

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4. the study of why only some learners appear to achieve native-like proficiency in more than one language

4. the study of why most second language learners do not achieve the same degree of proficiency in their native language

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BASIC TERMINOLOGY
Native language (NL) The first language (L1) that a child learns. The primary language, the mother language

Target language (TL) the language being learned

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Second language (L2)

A cover term for any language other than the first language learned by a given learner or group of learners Foreign language

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(CONTD)
Foreign language learning (FL)
The learning of a nonnative language in the environment of ones native language e.g., French speakers learning English in France

Second language learning (SL)

The learning of a nonnative language in the environment in which that language is spoken
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WHY STUDY SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING/ACQUISITION? Bi- and multi-lingualism is the norm in the world
SLA research informs theory and practice in L2 teaching and learning.

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LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Naturalistic SLA the language is learned through communication that takes in naturally occurring social situation

Instructed SLA the language is learnt through study with the help of guidance from reference books or classroom instructions.

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GENERAL ISSUES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING RESEARCH (L1 OR L2)

To what extent is language 'acquired' or 'learned?
What is being acquired? How do we learn? Process

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Is there any individual difference in rate, process, route of learning and level of attainment?

WHAT IS BEING ACQUIRED?

Sound system pronunciation, rhythm, intonation Grammar word order, ending (-s, -ed) Vocabulary

Appropriate use of the language e.g., greeting, apologising, opening and closing telephone conversation,
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POPULAR IDEAS ABOUT LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING

See handout.

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SUMMARY
Introduction of the course
Aims and objectives Assessment

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Learning a second language Anecdotes of second language learning Second language acquisition/learning Basic terminology Why do we study SLA? SLA Research What is being learned?

NEXT WEEK
Topic Child Language Acquisition Reading Chapter 1 in Lightbown and Spada (2006) Sign up for tutorial Have a great week!!!
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USEFUL ONLINE MATERIALS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsGKQ3RTWnk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_LOBBLmgYc

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