Welcome

This course introduces students to historical and contemporary theoretical and practical perspectives of second language acquisition. The purpose of the course is to help students know, understand, and use the major concepts, theories, and research related to the nature and acquisition of language, and the similarities and differences of first and second language acquisition. Issues related to learner characteristics, the affective factors in second language acquisition, and the social dimensions of language learning will be discussed. Emphasis will also be placed on the role of input in the acquisition of a second language. The course finalises with a discussion of bilingual, multilingual, plurilingual education and second language acquisition.