ENG4116 ¨C Second Language Acquisition

Course content

The course will present important theories of second language acquisition and different methods for studying such acquisition. There will be special emphasis on the acquisition of English.

Learning outcome

After completing this course you will have:

• gained insight into the characteristics of second language acquisition and into different theoretical approaches to explaining these characteristics.
• learned to analyse and evaluate learner data and to judge what methods are appropriate to use in order to study various aspects of the acquisition process.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

The minimum number of attendants for the course is 3, the maximum 15.

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in total.

Obligatory activities:

• There are two obligatory assignments. One is a written assignment similar to the exam in form. This assignment will be divided into two or three parts to be submitted at different points during the course. The second assignment is a small piece of research to be presented orally to the rest of the class. The presentation and the written assignment must be approved by the course teacher for the student to be allowed to sit for the exam.?Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.?Information about guidelines for obligatory activities.
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course, you have to attend 8 of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.

If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accomodations

Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The form of assessment is?a 3-day written take-home examination.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.