King Abdulaziz University

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Department of European Languages and Literature
Spring 2011

Applied Linguistics LANE 423 Course Syllabus Section DA

Instructor:

Haifa Alroqi

Classroom:

Bldg. 8 Rm. 806

Office:

Al-Jawhara Bldg.

Website:

http://halroqi.kau.edu.sa

Office Hours:

.S.T. 11:00 am -12:30 pm

E-mail:

lane423da@hotmail.com

Class Days & Time:

.S.T. 9:30 -10:50 am

Telephone:

+966 2 6952000 Ext. 63126

Rm. 213

Course Description:
This is a three hour credit course that familiarizes students with the various subdisciplines in the field
of Applied Linguistics including psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics. However, it concentrates
mainly on providing a comprehensive picture of the theoretical foundations of language learning
and teaching as well as information about classroom research and activities. Topics include
language learning and teaching, first language acquisition, age and acquisition, human learning,
styles and strategies, and personality factors.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Compare between the three schools of thought in SLA.

Discuss the three schools of thought in relation to First Language Acquisition.

Argue for/ against the CPH based on the neurological, sociobiological, phonological,
cognitive, affective, and linguistic differences between children and adults.

Explain the theories of learning.

Identify and distinguish between Robert Gagns Learning Types.

Compare between language teaching methodologies.

Argue for/against language teaching methodologies.

Discuss the effect of transfer, interference, and overgeneralization in the process of acquiring
a second language.

Discuss the implication of inductive and deductive approaches of reasoning for SLA.

Relate Aptitude and Intelligence to language learning.

Discuss different learning styles and relate them to SLA.

Discuss different learning strategies and communication strategies and relate them to SLA

Discuss personality factors for effective language learning.

Relate Myers-Briggs character types to second language learning.

Discuss motivation theories and identify the role of motivation in second language learning.

Course Outcomes:
Description of the knowledge to be acquired:
This course will enable students to:

Develop an awareness of the various sub-disciplines within the field of Applied Linguistics.

Gain a broadly-based understanding of first and second language acquisition.

Understand how people learn- or fail to learn- a second language.

Understand the theoretical foundations of language teaching & learning.

Differentiate between the various models, theories and research findings within the field of
SLA.

Know the current work in the field of Applied Linguistics.

Description of cognitive skills to be developed:

This course will enable students to:

Develop critical thinking skills to analyse and synthesize the different theories within the field of
Applied Linguistics.

Compare/contrast the different models and theories within the field of Applied Linguistics.

Demonstrate the skills of independent critical thinking.

Develop self-awareness in learning about one's self and others through the different models
and theories presented during the course.

Description of the interpersonal skills and capacity to carry responsibility to be developed:

This course will enable students to:

Show self-reliance when working independently.

Cooperate in pair/ group activities and display teamwork skills.

Display a professional commitment to ethical practice on a daily basis.

Description of the communication skills and Information Technology skills to be developed:

This course will enable students to:

Cooperate in pair/ group activities and display teamwork skills

Express opinion and share viewpoints

Provide examples to relate theory to application

Conduct an online research

Manage basic computer skills

Write a term paper on a linguistic topic

Course Content:
The following chapters are to be covered in LANE 423 course for Spring semester 2011:

Chapter 1: Language, Learning, and Teaching

Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Chapter 3: Age and Acquisition

Chapter 4: Human Learning

Chapter 5: Styles and Strategies

Chapter 6: Personality Factors

Required Textbook:
Brown, D. H. (2007). Principles of language learning and teaching (5th ed.). New York: Longman.
Supplementary Textbooks:
Cook, G. (2008). Applied linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Davies, A. & Elder, C. (2006). The handbook of applied linguistics. London: Blackwell.
Kaplan, R. (2005). The Oxford handbook of applied linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lightbown, P. M., & Spada, N. (2006). How languages are learned (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Mitchell, R. & Miles, F. (1998). Second language learning theories. London: Arnold.
Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Course Assessment:

Assessment #

Assessment Task

Week Due

Proportion of Final Assessment

Quiz I

20%

Group Term Paper

10

20%

Quiz II

12

20%

Final Exam

15

40%

Total

100%

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to be punctual and attend all classes.

Being absent for more than 20% of allocated course time means that the student will receive a
DN (denied from final exam) grade which is equivalent to an F.

General Policies:

Course materials can be found at http://halroqi.kau.edu.sa

<

English < Spring 2011

<

Applied Linguistics.

Announcements will be posted online. To check the latest announcements, go to

http://halroqi.kau.edu.sa

<

English.

Students are expected to check the instructors website the day before every class.

There will be NO make-up exams.

Medical reports cannot be received in class. To present a medical report, please come to the
instructors office during office hours.

During classes and exams, mobile phones should be switched off or set to silent mode.

Students are expected to know and abide by University policies governing student conduct.

Students are expected to exhibit a high level of personal and academic integrity and honesty.

Spring 2011 Applied Linguistics LANE 423 Section DA - Course Timeline

(Tentative)

Week

Day

Date

Sun

13 Feb

Topic

Notes

Add-and-Drop Period
Tues

15 Feb

Sun

20 Feb

Tues

22 Feb

Sun

27 Feb

First Class Orientation + Syllabus Discussion

Tues

1 Mar

Chapter 1: Language, Learning, & Teaching

Sun

6 Mar

Chapter 1: Language, Learning, & Teaching

Tues

8 Mar

Chapter 1: Language, Learning, & Teaching

Sun

13 Mar

Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Tues

15 Mar

Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Sun

20 Mar

Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Tues

22 Mar

Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Sun

27 Mar

Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Tues

29 Mar

Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Wed

30 Mar

Quiz I

Sun

3 Apr

Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Tues

5 Apr

Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Add-and-Drop Period

Group Term Paper Guidelines and

Rubric Discussion

Midterm Break

Ch 1 + 2 (3-4 pm/ Bldg. & Rm. TBA)

Sun

17 Apr

Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Tues

19 Apr

Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Sat

23 Apr

Term Paper First Draft Deadline

Sun

24 Apr

Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Tues

26 Apr

Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Sun

1 May

Chapter 4: Human Learning

Tues

3 May

Chapter 4: Human Learning

Sun

8 May

Chapter 4: Human Learning

Tues

10 May

Chapter 5: Styles & Strategies

Sat

14 May

Quiz II

Sun

15 May

Chapter 5: Styles & Strategies

Tues

17 May

Chapter 5: Styles & Strategies

Sun

22 May

Chapter 6: Personality Factors

Tues

24 May

Chapter 6: Personality Factors

Sun

29 May

Chapter 6: Personality Factors

Tues

31 May

Revision

To be sent to the instructors

Email address

Group Term Paper Deadline

10

11

12

13

14

Final Examinations

Ch 3 (3-4 pm/ Bldg. & Rm. TBA)