Theories of Second Language Acquisition

Course content

This course will give an overview of current theories of second language acquisition (SLA). We will survey the predominant approaches and discuss empirical studies conducted within these frameworks. In comparative perspective, we distil factors and features in SLA that determine development, individual differences between learners and outcomes in SLA. We will discuss the implications of SLA for the classroom and explore connections and commonalities between approaches. This course will involve student presentations and "fact files" on Stud.IP, so active participation is required from everyone attending. Participants should have prior knowledge of linguistic approaches to second language acquisition, e. g. by having taken courses on SLA in their BA studies.