This module will introduce different theoretical and practical approaches to first and second language acquisition. In the first half, you will learn about how a first language is acquired by infants and used by children, discussing the broad sweep of development from pre-linguistic babble through early sentence construction to teen language in typically-developing children. Topics covered will include the acquisition of phonology, morphology, syntax, and communicative competence. In the second half, you will learn about the differences between first and second language acquisition, how second languages (languages other than the mother tongue) are acquired by children and adults, and how the acquisition is affected by learners’ cognitive and socio-psychological individual differences and any other language that has been previously acquired. The module will cover a range of experimental methods used in first and second language research, as well as exploring key theoretical perspectives.  

On completion of the module a student should be able to: 

• Articulate and exemplify scholarly approaches to investigating language development in children and second language acquisition in children and adults 
• Identify and evaluate some of the key methods used in first and/or second language research  
• Discuss how language is acquired in different stages of life
• Analyse and interpret data relevant to first and/or second language acquisition research 

The module will be delivered through a mix of large group and small group sessions, including, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.   

In addition to the skills above, students will: 

• develop the ability to critically evaluate ideas and experimental work on first and second language acquisition (critical thinking) 

• develop the ability to present information and ideas clearly and coherently in an academic style (academic writing skills) 

The module will be assessed via two pieces of written coursework:

1. Essay 1 - 1600 words - 50%
2. Essay 2 - 1600 words - 50%

This module will cover topics such as: 

• theoretical approaches to first and second language acquisition  

• stages of child language development (phonology, morphology, syntax and pragmatics)  

• the role of different learner internal and external factors in second language acquisition 

• a comparison of first and second language acquisition  

• bilingual/multilingual language acquisition