Type of course

This course is intended for students in the bachelor's programme in English and students in the programme for teacher education years 8-13 (lektorutdanning trinn 8-13, studieretning engelsk).

This course may be taken as a single course.

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

Application code: 9199 - Enkeltemner (ikke realfag), lavere grad (Nordic applicants).

A good grasp of oral and written English is recommended.

Course content

This course focuses on different theories of how people learn a language after they have acquired their native language.

The students will learn about:

• differences between the acquisition of L1 and L2,
• the role of the native language and universal grammar,
• different processes involved in the learning of a second language,
• the role of learner characteristics and instruction in second language acquisition.

Objectives of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student:

• know the basic theories of SLA
• has a good knowledge of important aspects in the field of SLA, such as the differences between first and second language acquisition, the role of the native language, universal grammar, learner characteristics and instructed learning in SLA.

Skills

The student is able to/can:

• give an account of the basic theories of SLA
• explain the role of the native language, universal grammar, learner characteristics and instruction in SLA
• explain the differences between the acquisition of L1 and L2
• use their knowledge to evaluate and analyze different theories, texts and samples of language production.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, exercises, discussions. The teaching is distributed over the whole semester with intervals of teaching-free periods when the students work on their own.

Quality assurance:

The course undergoes a midterm evaluation or an end-of-term evaluation every third year.

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open to incoming exchange students.

Study level: Bachelor’s

Admission prerequisites:
A good command of both oral and written English is recommended.

For details on how to apply for exchange, course selection guidelines, or to contact the Incoming Admissions Team, please visit: Admissions for Student Exchange.