This class will explore processes of language development in young children learning their first languages as well as older children or adults learning a second or additional language. We will consider different theoretical approaches to language acquisition, including cognitive, psycholinguistic, sociocultural and language socialization theories. As we proceed, you will also acquire working knowledge of different linguistic components (phonology, morphology, syntax and discourse) and how they relate to particular situations (pragmatics and discourse analysis). The overall goal of the course is to prepare you to undertake real-life tasks of teaching and assessment, analyzing language learners’ output and understanding their needs.

 The course provides training in two of the State-approved specialty studies competencies in Teaching English as a Second Language K-12: Competency 5 (“ability to analyze the linguistic components of English”) and Competency 7 (“know the ways in which children, adolescents, and adults learn language”).