Module QXL-3318:
L2 speech learning

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Sarah Cooper

Overall aims and purpose

This module provides an overview of the difficulties second language (L2) learners are faced with when acquiring a new sound system. It introduces students to core issues in L2 perception and production of segments and prosody, gives an overview of the main theories and methodologies characteristic of the field, and discusses some of its fundamental problems and controversies.

Aims:
• To broaden students’ understanding of current issues and controversies in this field of study.
• To develop students’ ability to critically evaluate current theories of L2 speech learning.
• To develop students’ awareness of the variables affecting degree of foreign accent.
• To develop students’ ability to collect and analyse data and design an experiment in this area of study.

Course content

Lectures will include:
- an overview of the field of L2 speech learning.
- introduction to the major concepts in the field.
- role of the first language.
- transfer; interlanguage.
- current L2 speech learning models.
- cross-language phonetic similarity.
- foreign accent and the factors involved in (un)successful learning.
- segmental and suprasegmental production and perception.
- implications for foreign language teaching.

Assessment Criteria

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

  1. Students will understand the main issues, concerns and controversies employed in this field of study

  2. Students will be able to critically compare and evaluate the current theories and methodologies in L2 speech learning in light of existing evidence.

  3. Students will be able to discuss the range of variables known to contribute to the degree of perception of foreign accentedness.

  4. Students will be able to collect and critically analyse data and select an appropriate methodology for investigating specific L2 speech learning phenomena.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
REPORT Research Report

Students will collect and analyse their own data and write it up as a 3000 word research report.

 70
GROUP PRESENTATION Group Presentation

Students will design a poster on the data collection for the module, and give a 10 minute group presentation to the class on it. The poster will be worth 20% of the marks for the module and the presentation 10% of the marks for the module.

 30

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

Weekly 2-hour lectures for 11 weeks, which will include lectures, in-class discussion, presentations and data analysis.

 22
Private study

In their own time, students will be expected to do required readings for each class, do further research/reading on the topics and prepare assignments.

 173
Practical classes and workshops

Fortnightly 1-hour practicals (5 over the 11 weeks).

 5

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Understanding of the nature of bi/multilingualism - students will demonstrate familiarity with phenomena and findings relating to the nature of bilingual and multilingual individuals and communities.
  • Writing & scholarly conventions - students will be able to present data, argumentation, findings and references in written form in keeping with the conventions current in language science and English language studies.
  • Analysis & interpretation skills - students will be able to analyse, interpret data accurately, and draw appropriate conclusions based on the application of appropriate analytic and theoretical frameworks available in linguistics and English language studies.
  • Research skills - students will be able undertake independent research, involving formulating a research question, identifying and deploying appropriate linguistic methodology (theoretical or empirical) and data collection techniques (theoretical, experimental or field-based), and the selection and application of appropriate theoretical frameworks in order to adequately address the research question.
  • Evaluation & reflection - students will be able to critically evaluate a particular position, viewpoint or argument in relation to a specific area of investigation. They will be able to reflect on the efficacy of a particular approach, practice or performance, and moderate these as a consequence in order to achieve specific goals.
  • Independent investigation - students will develop the ability to plan, design and execute a significant piece of research or inquiry, either independently or as a member of a team in order to discover a specific solution to an outstanding issue or question through searching out and synthesizing written, visual and oral information. Students will also develop skills of independent investigation, including interacting with peers and subjects/informants.
  • Fluency, confidence and proficiency in the use of English -students will demonstrate their ability and proficiency to use and understand and instruct others in English in a range of academic and classroom contexts.
  • Effective communication - students will develop the ability to communicate effectively, appropriately and confidently, in a range of contexts, to different audience types, and making use of a range of supporting materials
  • Learning to learn - students will learn to reflect, modify and improve their learning strategies
  • Awareness of and appreciation for linguistic and cultural differences - students will develop an awareness of and an appreciation for the range and nature of linguistic and cultural diversity
  • Proficiency in the use of English in reading, writing, speaking and/or listening - students will demonstrate proficiency in their ability to use and understand English in a range of different contexts and via different media.
  • Understanding of the nature and organization of language - students will demonstrate familiarity with observations and findings relating to various aspects of linguistic phenomena and organization.
  • Understanding the nature of commonalities and differences across languages - students will demonstrate familiarity with phenomena and findings relating to universals and diversity exhibited by and across languages.

Resources

Resource implications for students

None

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/qxl-3318.html

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: