Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Type of course

Admission requirements

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

A good command of oral and written English is required.

Application code: 9199 (Nordic applicants).

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

Knowledge

Students will:

• know the basic theories of SLA
• have 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

Students will be able to:

• 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.

Assessment

Coursework requirements: A short essay (2000 words) and an oral presentation. The coursework requirements will be evaluated as approved or not approved.  All written work is based on the following standard: Times New Roman, 12, 1,5, 2,5 cm.

Assessment method: A 4-hour written school exam

The obligatory coursework requirements must be approved in order to take the final exam. Performance in the course will be assessed on an A-F grades scale. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed. A re-sit examination is offered in the event of an F grade. The deadline to register for a re-sit examination is January 15th for the autumn semester and August 15th for the spring semester.

Recommended reading/syllabus