This course is designed to explore major theories of second language acquisition in both naturalistic and instructed learning settings and uncover what the theories have to offer to second and foreign language teachers. The students will discuss learner centered influences on language learning and why these influences may help second language teachers account for features of learners’ language they observe. Finally, they will learn techniques for investigating student learning in the classroom.

By the end of the course, students should be able to: • become familiar with theories, methods, and findings in the field of SLA • develop an expert and personally relevant understanding of second language learning • identify and discuss problems and challenges in current research and theory • develop an ability to read SLA research and studies meaningfully • conduct and report on a mini research project that explores an SLA topic of choiceThis course is designed to present an overview of the field of second language acquisition, the study of how second and foreign languages are learned after a first language has already been acquired. The core theories and trends of SLA will be introduced in order to equip students with the basic concepts and tools necessary for more advanced study. This course will cover issues and problems in current SLA research and theory and provide a historical framework of the development of the field. Class activities will include lectures, student-led chapter discussions, and mini projects.

1. Saville-Troike, Muriel. (2012). Introducing Second Language Acquisition (2nd edition). Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. (ST) (Tentative plan)
2. Additional research papers will be distributed in class.
3. Please respect intellectual property rights. Do not photocopy the textbook.