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This is a tentative list of scheduled topics we'll cover in ENG585, Second Language Acquisition.
This is a tentative list of scheduled topics we'll cover in ENG585, Second Language Acquisition.
All content is subject to change, because I update this course to be responsive to current events. Our discussions will also shape the content of this course--please check this page later in the semester for updates!
I welcome all students to share content suggestions that draw upon your creativity and life experiences.
The schedule of student-led discussions will be updated on Canvas.
🛑 One more thing... Important note about a possible work stoppage during the semester.
The California Faculty Association (the labor union of Lecturers, Professors, Coaches, Counselors, and Librarians across the 23 CSU campuses) is in a difficult contract dispute with California State University management.
It is possible that we will call a strike or other work stoppage this term. I promise to promptly inform you of any schedule disruption. Our working conditions are your learning conditions; we seek to protect both. For further information go to www.CFAbargaining.org.
Week 1
Week 1
Please note: We'll begin working with the textbook in Week 3.
Module 1
Tuesday, August 29
Karibuni darasani!
Karibuni darasani!
Considering languages, dialects, and idiolects
Considering languages, dialects, and idiolects
Welcome! Let's get to know each other. We'll also begin discussing key concepts in the study of second language acquisition (SLA):
In class: Swahili language demo #1
In class: Handout excerpted from Vansina (1995) - New linguistic evidence and 'the Bantu expansion'. (pp. 173-179)
Module 2
Thursday, August 31
Communicative competence and comprehensible input
Communicative competence and comprehensible input
What does it mean to use a language successfully? How do you typically tell stories in your language(s)?
In class: Swahili language demo #2
In class: Handout excerpted from Saville-Troike (2003); Defining communicative competence.
Krashen (2017) - The case for comprehensible input.
Week 2
Week 2
Module 3
Tuesday, September 5
Communicative language teaching (CLT): History and future
Communicative language teaching (CLT): History and future
Why has the CLT method developed? Is it appropriate for all learners and contexts?
In class: Swahili language demo #3
Savignon (2001) - Communicative language teaching for the 21st century.
👂🏽🎶 Listen: Language Latte Podcast - What is comprehensible input? (25 mins)
Module 4
Thursday, September 7
Language learning, culture, and study abroad
Language learning, culture, and study abroad
How do cultural practices shape the language classroom and language learner's sojourn?
In class: Swahili language demo #4
Thomas (2021) - Ghanaian multilinguals on study abroad in Tanzania: Learning Swahili through Akan/Twi and cultures of storytelling.
Week 3
Week 3
Begin working with textbook this week.
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 5
Tuesday, September 12
Becoming a language teacher; Considering the journey of the English learner
Becoming a language teacher; Considering the journey of the English learner
Bryant (2020) - Beginning and becoming: Expectations of the teaching body in English language teaching. (Ch. 11 in Critical Autoethnography and Intercultural Learning)
Li (2020) - Escaping the comfort zone: The first language 'bubble'. (Ch. 7 in Critical Autoethnography and Intercultural Learning)
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 6
Thursday, September 14
Language teaching is not neutral; Defining SLA
Language teaching is not neutral; Defining SLA
Pennycook (1989) - The concept of method, interested knowledge, and the politics of language teaching.
Ch. 1 - Saville-Troike & Barto (2016): About the book, Acknowledgments, Introducing second language acquisition (pp. ix-6)
Homework due: Activities and questions for self-study (please address Active Learning questions as part of your reading response)
Nell. (1994).
Nell. (1994).
Nell is a 1994 American drama film directed by Michael Apted from a screenplay written by William Nicholson.
The film stars Jodie Foster (who also produced) as Nell Kellty, a young woman who has to face other people for the first time after being raised by her mother in an isolated cabin.
While the film is fictional, it does have a basis in real-life cases of children who are documented to have been exposed to little or no language input during their formative years.
Week 4
Week 4
Module 7
Tuesday, September 19
Poverty of the Stimulus? More key concepts
Poverty of the Stimulus? More key concepts
Ch. 2 - Saville-Troike & Barto (2016): Foundations of second language acquisition (pp. 7-32)
Homework due: Activities and questions for self-study (please address Active Learning questions as part of your reading response)
👁️ Watch: Genie Wiley - TLC Documentary excerpt (2003, 12 mins)
Curtiss, Fromkin, Krashen, Rigler, & Rigler (1974) - The linguistic development of Genie
Portrait of Prof. Cheryl Bucholtz-Magallón (Santa Ana College)
Module 8
Thursday, September 21
How do you teach the most basic of ESL learners?
How do you teach the most basic of ESL learners?
Guest speaker: Cheryl Bucholtz-Magallón, MA
Guest speaker: Cheryl Bucholtz-Magallón, MA
A seasoned ESL instructor, Prof. Bucholtz-Magallón will present an interactive English language teaching demo.
Afterwards, we will have time for Q&A!
Week 5
Week 5
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 9
Tuesday, September 26
Second language reading: How do we become good readers?
Second language reading: How do we become good readers?
👁️ Watch: The Reading Brain, How We Learn To Read (2022, 4 mins)
James, Currie, Tong, & Cain (2003): The relations between morphological awareness and reading comprehension in beginner readers to young adolescents
Koda (2007): Reading and language learning: Crosslinguistic constraints on second language reading development
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 10
Thursday, September 28
Considering linguistic knowledge in SLA, and across modalities
Considering linguistic knowledge in SLA, and across modalities
Ch. 3 - Saville-Troike & Barto (2016): The linguistics of second language acquisition (pp. 33-70)
Homework due: Activities and questions for self-study (please address Active Learning questions as part of your reading response)
Hoffmeister, Henner, Caldwell-Harris, & Novogrodsky (2022) - Deaf children’s ASL vocabulary and ASL syntax knowledge supports English knowledge
Parks (2018) - How Deaf children in Nicaragua created a new language: It happened on the playground (Atlas Obscura)
Leonhardt (2022) - A Language Changed: Digital media is changing language — sometimes rapidly. We explore the example of American Sign Language (NY Times)
Week 6
Week 6
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 11
Tuesday, October 3
Considering SLA research methods; Planning for final projects
Considering SLA research methods; Planning for final projects
👁️ Watch: Action research in the language classroom - Step 1: Identifying the problem (Teaching in Harmony, 2022, 6 mins)
Burns (2009): Action research (Ch. 6 in Qualitative Research Methods in Applied Linguistics)
Cowie (2009): Observation (Ch. 8 in Qualitative Research Methods in Applied Linguistics)
Considering research permissions:
We will review 1-3 examples of successful IRB applications for institutional research approval
Module 12
Thursday, October 5 - NO CLASS (due to conference travel)
What is your research question? What methods will you use?
What is your research question? What methods will you use?
👁️ Watch: Action research in the language classroom - Step 2: Solutions and research questions (Teaching in Harmony, 2023, 11:42 mins)
López-Gopar, Schissel, Leung, & Morales (2021) - Co-constructing social justice in Mexico: Language educators challenging colonial practices in Mexico
Homework:
In our Canvas discussion: Please share your (1) research questions and (2) tentative plans for your final research project.
Submit your local IRB questionnaire to Canvas, if needed.
Indigenous Peoples' Day is Monday, October 9!
Indigenous Peoples' Day is Monday, October 9!
For more information, please explore additional resources.
LA Times (2017): LA City Council replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day on city calendar.
USA Today (2022): What is Indigenous Peoples' Day? Is it offensive to celebrate Columbus Day? Everything to know.
Week 7
Week 7
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 13
Tuesday, October 10
Who? What? Where? Morpheme order studies, and acquisition of wh-questions
Who? What? Where? Morpheme order studies, and acquisition of wh-questions
👁️ Watch: Language Acquisition - Crash Course Linguistics #12 (PBS, 2020, 10:51 mins)
Valian & Casey (2003) - Young children's acquisition of wh-questions: The role of structured input
👁️ Watch while reading: Gabby Bear toy commercial (toy used in study by Valian & Casey)
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 14
Thursday, October 12
Language and your brain
Language and your brain
👁️ Watch: Morphology - Crash Course Linguistics #2 (PBS, 2020, 10:48 mins)
Ch. 4 - Saville-Troike & Barto (2016): The psychology of second language acquisition (pp. 71-104)
Homework due: Activities and questions for self-study (please address Active Learning questions as part of your reading response)
Ettlinger, Bradlow, & Wong (2014): Variability in the learning of complex morphophonology
Week 8
Week 8
Portrait of Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Kula (Adam Mickiewicz University)
Module 15
Tuesday, October 17 - class will begin at 7:15pm due to earlier guest speaker event in Laser Recital Hall (see below for details - you're invited!)
Applied phonology in ESL: How do we learn how to say "reduced" and casual forms of English words?
Applied phonology in ESL: How do we learn how to say "reduced" and casual forms of English words?
Kul (2016) - Effects of two teaching methods of connected speech in a Polish EFL classroom.
Homework due: 3D brain model
Portrait of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor (Harvard University)
Module 16
Thursday, October 19 NO CLASS (due to conference travel)
More language and your brain; Research project planning
More language and your brain; Research project planning
Please use this time to prepare your research projects.
Homework due: Canvas content on language and your brain
iZombie + Medical Case File: Solve the mystery!
Bolte Taylor (2006) - Hemispheric Asymmetries (Chapter 3, My Stroke of Insight, pp. 26-36)
Portrait of Dr. Xóchitl Flores-Marcial
Guest speaker: You're invited!
Guest speaker: You're invited!
Tuesday, October 17
5:30-6:45pm, Laser Recital Hall
Associate Professor of History & Chicano/a Studies - Cal State Northridge (CSUN)
Week 9
Week 9
Portrait of author Jhumpa Lahiri
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 17
Tuesday, October 24
"To know a new language, to immerse yourself, you have to leave the shore."
"To know a new language, to immerse yourself, you have to leave the shore."
Ch. 5 - Saville-Troike & Barto (2016): Social contexts of second language acquisition (pp. 105-140)
Homework due: Activities and questions for self-study (please address Active Learning questions as part of your reading response)
Lahiri (2017) - Part 1 - Author's note, "The Crossing" thru "The Diary" (pp. xiii-59)
Portrait of Prof. Lourdes Ortega (Georgetown University)
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 18
Thursday, October 26
Understanding motivation & L3 experiences in SLA
Understanding motivation & L3 experiences in SLA
Ortega (2009) - Motivation (Ch. 8 in Understanding Second Language Acquisition, pp. 168-191)
👁️ Watch: Falling in love with the Italian language: Interview with author Jhumpa Lahiri (iitaly, 2016, 13:50 mins)
Rast (2010) - The use of prior linguistic knowledge in the early stages of L3 acquisition
Interview with author Jhumpa Lahiri (2016).
Interview with author Jhumpa Lahiri (2016).
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jhumpa Lahiri, an Indian American author who writes her books in Italian, talks with Stefano Albertini, Director of Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at NYU.
Week 10
Week 10
Module 19
Tuesday, October 31 - NO CLASS, Halloween Night
🎃 Please celebrate safely, and share in our Canvas discussion!
Module 20
Thursday, November 2 - NO CLASS - Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead
💀 Please celebrate safely, and share in our Canvas discussion!
Week 11
Week 11
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 21
Tuesday, November 7
Making the L2 work for our learners
Making the L2 work for our learners
Ch. 6 - Saville-Troike & Barto (2016): Acquiring knowledge for L2 use (pp. 141-182)
Homework due: Activities and questions for self-study (please address Active Learning questions as part of your reading response)
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 22
Thursday, November 9
"When I speak I can make mistakes, but I'm somehow able to make myself understood... in spite of the humiliation I continue."
"When I speak I can make mistakes, but I'm somehow able to make myself understood... in spite of the humiliation I continue."
Lahiri (2017) - Part 2 - "The Story" thru "The Hairy Adolescent" (pp. 61-123)
Ortega (2009) - Affect and other individual differences (Ch. 9 in Understanding Second Language Acquisition, pp. 192-215)
Week 12
Week 12
Portrait of Prof. Dr. Ute Bettray
Module 23
Tuesday, November 14
Guest speaker: Ute Bettray, PhD Habil. (Humboldt University, Germany)
Guest speaker: Ute Bettray, PhD Habil. (Humboldt University, Germany)
A seasoned ESL instructor, Prof. Dr. Bettray will present an interactive English language teaching demo.
Afterwards, we will have time for Q&A!
Please prepare by reading:
Ch. 7 - Saville-Troike & Barto (2016): L2 learning and teaching (pp. 183-201)
Homework due: Activities and questions for self-study (please address Active Learning questions as part of your reading response)
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 24
Thursday, November 16
"A foreign language is a delicate, finicky muscle. If you don't use it, it gets weak."
"A foreign language is a delicate, finicky muscle. If you don't use it, it gets weak."
Lahiri (2017) - Part 3 - "The Second Exile" thru "Afterword" and "Acknowledgments" (pp. 124-233)
Week 13
Week 13
Module 25
Tuesday, November 21 - NO CLASS
🍂 Please celebrate safely, and share in our Canvas discussion!
View of sweet potato pie - a holiday favorite!
Module 26
Thursday, November 23 - NO CLASS, Thanksgiving Day
Week 14
Week 14
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 27
Tuesday, November 28
Revisiting popular myths about SLA; discussing your research projects
Revisiting popular myths about SLA; discussing your research projects
Possible guest speaker? Arielle Pinto
Lightbown & Spada (2006) - Popular ideas about language learning revisited (Ch. 7, in How Languages Are Learned)
✏️ Student-led discussion
Module 28
Thursday, November 30 - Class will meet via Zoom (due to international conference travel)
Let's discuss your research projects!
Let's discuss your research projects!
(It will be 4am for me! Zoom link on our Canvas course calendar)
Please be prepared to present 1-3 presentation slides with details of your research project:
Project title
Research questions
Key concepts defined
Description of study context and participants
Preliminary results/insights
Week 15
Week 15
Last week of class!
Module 29
Tuesday, December 5 - NO CLASS (due to international conference travel)
Please prepare your final research presentations
Please prepare your final research presentations
Please use this time to prepare your final research presentations
Module 30
Thursday, December 7
Your final research presentations
Your final research presentations
Looking forward to your final research presentations!
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