Type of course

Admission requirements

A bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), or equivalent qualification, in English language, or a degree combining English language and literature (minimum 80 ECTS in English). Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand: An average grade equivalent to C or better is required. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in countries other than the above mentioned region/countries: An average grade equivalent to B or better is required.

Application code: 9371 - Enkeltemner på masternivå (Nordic applicants).

Course content

This course will provide an introduction to the theory of language learning and second language acquisition. In addition, the course will have an emphasis on the application of second language acquisition research findings to the language classroom. The course will draw on insights and methods from linguistics, language acquisition, and language pedagogy. The emphasis will be on the acquisition of English as a foreign language, but comparative elements may also be included. The students will work on a project related to a specific topic in second language acquisition and language teaching.

The course will consist of two parts. Eight classes will focus on the theoretical principles and second language acquisition process. This part will overlap with ENG-3050 Second Language Acquisition. The other five classes will be directed at the students in the master’s programme in education.

Objectives of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has:

• a general knowledge of the most important issues in second language acquisition, e.g., L1 transfer, UG access, complexity vs. frequency, etc.
• specific knowledge of typical problems related to learning a particular language, e.g., English, Norwegian, etc.
• a general knowledge of the most important theoretical approaches to second language acquisition and language teaching approaches
• an overview of contemporary research related to second language acquisition and language teaching approaches
• a general knowledge of research methods from linguistics as well as language teaching (intervention) techniques

Skills

The student is able to:

• analyze second language learner data from at least one specific language
• discuss contemporary classroom-oriented second language research and its practical applications to English language teaching both orally and in writing
• develop research designs related to second language teaching able to contribute to the development and innovation in the field English language teaching/didactics

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Information to incoming exchange students