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. Rm. 213 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

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 Gagné’s 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.

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 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

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 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

1 Quiz I 6 20%

2 Group Term Paper 10 20%

3 Quiz II 12 20%

4 Final Exam 15 40%

Total 100%

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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 instructor’s 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
instructor’s 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.

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 Spring 2011 – Applied Linguistics – LANE 423 – Section DA - Course Timeline
(Tentative)

Week Day Date Topic Notes

Sun 13 Feb
0 Add-and-Drop Period
Tues 15 Feb

Sun 20 Feb
1 Add-and-Drop Period
Tues 22 Feb

Sun 27 Feb First Class Orientation + Syllabus Discussion

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Tues 1 Mar Chapter 1: Language, Learning, & Teaching

Sun 6 Mar Chapter 1: Language, Learning, & Teaching

3
Tues 8 Mar Chapter 1: Language, Learning, & Teaching

Group Term Paper Guidelines and

Sun 13 Mar Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition
Rubric Discussion
4

Tues 15 Mar Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Sun 20 Mar Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

5
Tues 22 Mar Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

Sun 27 Mar Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition

6 Tues 29 Mar Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Wed 30 Mar Quiz I Ch 1 + 2 (3-4 pm/ Bldg. & Rm. TBA)

Sun 3 Apr Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

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Tues 5 Apr Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Midterm Break

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 Sun 17 Apr Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition
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Tues 19 Apr Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

To be sent to the instructor’s

Sat 23 Apr Term Paper First Draft Deadline
Email address

9 Sun 24 Apr Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Tues 26 Apr Chapter 3: Age & Acquisition

Sun 1 May Chapter 4: Human Learning Group Term Paper Deadline

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Tues 3 May Chapter 4: Human Learning

Sun 8 May Chapter 4: Human Learning

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Tues 10 May Chapter 5: Styles & Strategies

Sat 14 May Quiz II Ch 3 (3-4 pm/ Bldg. & Rm. TBA)

12 Sun 15 May Chapter 5: Styles & Strategies

Tues 17 May Chapter 5: Styles & Strategies

Sun 22 May Chapter 6: Personality Factors

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Tues 24 May Chapter 6: Personality Factors

Sun 29 May Chapter 6: Personality Factors

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Tues 31 May Revision

Final Examinations