Overview

The module focuses on: • child’s language development, what is language, what is the purpose of language and the purpose of studying language; • theoretical perspectives and methods of studying of language acquisition; • language development study methods and the purpose of language tests; • the child’s phonetic development, the acquisition of vocabulary, syntactic development and of communication skills. • the difference between learning a language in early childhood and after that period, language disorders, and the differences between monoglot and bilingual children. In the bilingual context, the module focuses on: • critical investigation and assessment of the nature and needs of bilingualism for the individual and for society • mixing codes, code switching and language allocation, and aspects of bilingualism that affect parents; • preparing for the bilingual society, literacy in two languages: learning and teaching and bilingualism and Deaf Awareness.

Learning Outcomes

• Successful students will be able to: identify and interpret critically the pattern of language development in children;

• analyze the main differences and similarities between the language use of a monolingual and a bilingual child;

• critically evaluate provision for Welsh, and for other minority languages of other countries;

• critically reflect on educational policy on language planning in other countries.

• demonstrate a critical understanding of the main methods of studying language development and of measuring language proficiency in children and young people;

• demonstrate critical awareness of the concept of bilingualism and of its positive effects and evaluate the role of society in promoting bilingualism;

• identify, evaluate and compare the main theories on child’s language development;

• investigate critical and historical perspectives of bilingualism;