MS2-Research in Young Learner Second Language Acquisition

General data

Course ID:	2300-MS2-WNJ-ODZ
Erasmus code / ISCED:	(unknown) / (unknown)
Course title:	MS2-Research in Young Learner Second Language Acquisition
Name in Polish:	MS2 - Obszary działalności badawczej nauczyciela języka angielskiego w edukacji wczesnoszkolnej
Organizational unit:	Faculty of Education
Course groups:
ECTS credit allocation (and other scores):	(not available) Basic information on ECTS credits allocation principles: the annual hourly workload of the student’s work required to achieve the expected learning outcomes for a given stage is 1500-1800h, corresponding to 60 ECTS; the student’s weekly hourly workload is 45 h; 1 ECTS point corresponds to 25-30 hours of student work needed to achieve the assumed learning outcomes; weekly student workload necessary to achieve the assumed learning outcomes allows to obtain 1.5 ECTS; work required to pass the course, which has been assigned 3 ECTS, constitutes 10% of the semester student load.
Language:	English
Type of course:	obligatory courses
Mode:	Classroom
Short description:	The aim of the course is to develop trainee teachers’ reflective attitude to foreign language learning and teaching processes. It focuses on the need of continuous development of teaching skills and using action research, as well as other research methods, in classroom teaching. The course also aims at casting light on those areas of foreign language acquisition which are particularly relevant in instructed contexts. Continuous and reflective observation as well as action research are presented as a successful means of developing teaching techniques and ensuring effective language learning.
Full description:	- research in applied linguistics and foreign language teaching – definitions and research areas - qualitative and quantitative research tradtions and research methods - action research - sources of data collection (observation, introspection, questionnaires, surveys, corpus, language samples) and research instruments - basic components of a research project - planning classroom-based research - ethics in researching children - rate of second language acquisition in early years - development of children’s productive and receptive skills in a foreign language - factors influencing foreign language acquisition (social, affective and cognitive) - teacher factor in early foreign language learning
Bibliography:	Brown, J.D. (2001) Using Surveys in Language Programs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Brown, J.D. (2002) Doing Second Language Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Cohen, L., L. Manion and K. Morrison (2000) Research Methods in Education (5th edition). London: Routledge. Freeman, D. 1999. Doing Teacher Research. Newbury House Teacher Development. Boston, MA: Heinle & Heinle Publications. Greig, A. and J. Taylor. (1999) Doing Research with Children. London: SAGE Publications. McKay, P. (2006) Assessing Young Language Learners. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Moon, J. and M. Nikolov. (2009) (eds) Research into Teaching English to Young Learners. Pecs: University Press Pecs. Munoz, C. (ed.) (2006) Age and the Rate of Foreign Language Learning. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. Nikolov, M. (2009) (ed) Early Learning of Modern Foreign Languages. Processes and Outcomes. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters Singleton, D. and L.Ryan (2004) Language Acquisition: The Age Factor. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. Swales, J.M. (2004) Research Genres. Exploration and Application. Cambridge Applied Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Szpotowicz, M. (2008) Second Language Learning Processes in Lower Primary Children. Vocabulary Acquisition. Warszawa: Uniwersytet Warszawski. Wallace, M.J. (1997) Action Research for Language Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Learning outcomes:	Knowledge After the course the student: - has systematic and advanced knowledge about research methods used in applied linguistics and in early language learning and teaching - knows the characteristic features of qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques of data collection - knows factors which contribute to differences in early language acquisition and learning Skills After the course the student: -uses qualitative methods in their own classroom research or in observed lessons -adjusts research and testing methods to young learner developmental abilities -explains the difference between the development of productive and receptive skills in early foreign language learning -presents factors which influence early foreign language development and discusses them on the basis of research studies -plans a research project concerning early foreign language learning and teaching in instructed contexts Other competences After the course the student: - systematically reflects on their teaching and uses action research in their teaching - observes the principles of ethics in researching children
Assessment methods and assessment criteria:	Modes of training: lecture, workshop, discussion following reading assignments, library research, individual study on the mini-project Course requirements: 1. reading assignments of book chapters and/or articles for every class 2. submitting one essay on a selected topic 3. submitting an outline of an action research (plan, draft procedure and instruments, final version) 4. participation – 2 absences allowed 5. final test

This course is not currently offered.

Course descriptions are protected by copyright.
Copyright by University of Warsaw.