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This occurrence is not offered in 2014
This course deals with key aspects of how human language is acquired by children, from infancy to adolescence. Selected topics in bilingual and second language development are also covered.
Acquiring language is a uniquely human ability, but why do we do it so well when we are children and (generally) so poorly when we are adults? Why is becoming bilingual as a child as natural as learning one language; but adding a second language in adulthood so difficult? Why are some individuals better second language learners than others and are some children better first language learners than others? How does the language learning environment of home, community and classroom impact on our ability to acquire languages? This course is for teachers, learners of languages, therapists and linguists in the making and is aimed equally at those with little or no linguistics background and those who have taken linguistics courses before.
By the end of the course you should have a fairly detailed understanding of the path of typical and atypical monolingual language development in children, as well as an understanding of how that path compares with children developing bilingually. You will also have some understanding of why that developmental path is as it is, and how it varies between different learners in different circumstances. Some knowledge of linguistics is useful but not essential as there are opportunities to bring a range of perspectives to bear on the material.
LING101 or LING111 or ENGL123 or ENGL112 or relevant background in EDUC or EDED or PSYC with the approval of the Head of Department.
CMDS221, LING205
Susan Foster-Cohen
There is no required textbook for the course, and readings will be made available through the Learn (Moodle) component of this course.
Library portalThe course outline is available on LEARN (only for students enrolled in this course). LEARN
Domestic fee $670.00
International fee $2,850.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .