Information Package / Course Catalogue
Language Acquisition
Course Code: ENT208
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: English
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to introduce some key concepts and main theories of first and second language acquisition and help learner to contribute to their own second language learning and teaching.

Course Content

Analyzing the theories of language, learning and teaching in context of SLA

Name of Lecturer(s)
Assoc. Prof. Burcu AYDIN
Learning Outcomes
1. Learner acquires the knowledge of first and second language acquisition theories
2.Using recordings/transcriptions of real classroom interaction s/he can analyze first and second language acquisition
3.Learner can identify developmental sequences in first language acquisition
4.S/he can compare second language acquisition in children and in adults
5.Learner can relate theories of first and second language acquisition to classroom practice with the help of observation tasks and activities
6.Learner can see the role of learner characteristics and individual variation in second language learning
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Lightbown, P. & Spada, N. 1999. How languages are learned. Oxford: OUP.
2.Guasti,M. T.(2002) Language Acqusition: The Growth of Grammar. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3.Saffran, J.R. et.al. (2001).The Acquisition of Language by Children. In National Academy of Sciences Magazine
4.Bloom,P.(ed).(1993). Language Acquisition: Core Readings. Cambridge. CUP
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introducing the course content and material , Popular Opinions About Learning and Teaching
Week 2 - Theoretical
Child 's first language acquisition (Early Childhood, The Pre-school Years, The School Years) Theories Explaining First Language Acquisition: The Behaviourist, Innatist , Interactionist Perspectives &Connectionist
Week 3 - Theoretical
Theories Explaining First Language Acquisition
Week 4 - Theoretical
Theories Explaining Second Language Learning. Learner characteristics /Learning conditions Group Work : Student -generated questions.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Second Language Applications Mimicry&memorization, Universal Grammar, Krashen s `monitor model , Interacting, Noticing&Processing
Week 6 - Theoretical
The Sociocultural perspective and Differences in Second Language Learning
Week 7 - Theoretical
Learner language. Defining basic concepts: contrastive analysis, error analysis and interlanguage. Examining texts written by learners of English from different contexts
Week 8 - Theoretical
Learner language. Defining basic concepts: contrastive analysis, error analysis and interlanguage. Examining texts written by learners of English from different contexts (Mid term examination)
Week 9 - Theoretical
The concepts of learning and using vocabulary from the pragmatic perspective. Studying the examples on the acquisition of concrete and abstract words in English
Week 10 - Theoretical
Observing the differences in Second Language Settings
Week 11 - Theoretical
The importance of lexicology
Week 12 - Theoretical
Learning Vocabulary , The use of Vocabulary and Pragmatics
Week 13 - Theoretical
The differences of public and class milieu in second language and foreign language teachings
Week 14 - Theoretical
Class observations and reports
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory152260
Reading101010
Midterm Examination1505
Final Examination1505
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)80
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
OÇ-1
5
5
5
5
OÇ-2
4
4
4
4
4
OÇ-3
3
3
3
3
3
3
OÇ-4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
OÇ-5
4
4
4
4
4
4
OÇ-6
3
3
3
3
3
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026