Overview

Topics covered will include:
1. Dimensions of bilingualism.
2. Definitions of bilingualism.
3. Early versus late bilingualism.
4. Bilingualism and cognition.
5. Educational policies.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D: Student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all the learning outcomes. Student can demonstrate a minimum level of understanding of the basic concepts and be able to apply them to data with some degree of accuracy.

-good -B: Student has achieved a better-than-average standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes, and has a clear and accurate understanding of concepts; ability to apply concepts to data critically and thoughtfully; evidence of wide reading and clear and accurate reference to source materials; free from misunderstanding and errors of content; free from irrelevant material.

-excellent -A: Student has achieved a thorough standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes; or student has demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in one or more learning outcomes together with a good overall standard: student has achieved a thorough understanding of the subject, both in terms of content and theory; student is able to apply concepts clearly and accurately; substantial evidence of critical and original thought and analysis; clear, logical argument; high level of communicative competence; free from irrelevant material and errors of spelling and punctuation; evidence of extensive reading beyond basic texts and clear and accurate references to source material.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to appreciate the effects of bilingualism on other domains of cognition.

• Students will be able to collect, analyse and present data

• Students will be able to critically evaluate the literature in the field of bilingualism.

• Students will demonstrate an understanding and be able to discuss the issues involved in describing someone as bilingual.

• Students will understand the complex factors involved in bilingual acquisition across the lifespan.