Overview

People who learn another language face particular challenges on their journey towards acquiring proficiency in a new language's grammatical systems, and the sound system (‘accent’) is no different.

This module lets you investigate what happens to a second language (L2) speaker as they acquire its sounds and prosody, and approaching the field from a strongly theoretical perspective that nonetheless introduces you to the methodologies used by phoneticians to research the learning of sounds.

This module is perfect for you if you already have experience of phonetics and phonology, especially if you are interested in bilingualism/multilingualism and its effect on the speech system of learners.

Students in this module, depending on assessment topics, research question(s) and methodologies will have to opportunity to utilize the department labs, specialized software and resources, when carry out their assessments. This can include access to and the use of; dedicated lab facilities for experiments, a professional grade sound isolation booth and high-end recording equipment setup, high-level statistical modelling and analysis software, an d acoustic and phonetic analysis software.

Students will learn about topics like: - Major concepts in the field of second language speech learning - The role of the first language - Transfer - Interlanguage - Current L2 speech learning models - Foreign accent and the factors involved in learning - Segmental and suprasegmental production and perception - Implications for foreign language teaching.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (D- to D+) Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows: 1.Generally accurate but with omissions and errors.2.Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning.3.Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions.4.Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

Good (C- to B+) Submitted work is competent throughout and may be distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It: 1.Demonstrates good or very good structure and logically developed arguments.2.Draws at least in parts on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.3.Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning.4.Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

Excellent (A- to A*) Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways: 1.Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent.2.Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study.3.Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

• Categorize and explain the range of variables known to contribute to the degree of perception of foreign accentedness.

• Collect and analyse data for investigating specific L2 speech learning phenomena.

• Compare and evaluate the current methodologies in L2 speech learning.

• Examine the issues, concerns and controversies in the field of second language speech learning.