LING 392: Nature of Language and Language Acquisition
Objectives
Nature of Language & Language Acquisition introduces the scientific study of language, which includes theoretical concepts (e.g. structural linguistics, sociolinguistics, language development in first and second language acquisition) and application of linguistics in reading and writing development. Students develop a knowledge base in linguistics, phonemic awareness, and syntax, and apply it in real-world educational settings.
Learning Outcomes
- Define what language is, understand how linguistics is similar and different from other disciplines and discuss its linguistic elements as they relate to the concept of language universals and differences
- Use terminology appropriate to the discipline of linguistics (structural linguistics) to explain how language can be defined relative to speech sound (phonetics), sound patterns (phonology), word formation (morphology), sentence patters (syntax), meaning (semantics), and their respective rules and use of phonological and other linguistic process as they relate to reading instructions as well as vocabulary development strategies.
- Explain and discuss theories of first and second language acquisition.
- Explain how and why language changes, the implications of language variation, the sociopolitical impact of language status and language acceptance in society or social institutions.
- Communicate emotional and personal responses and apply the phonological and other linguistic process and make connections among the physical, cognitive, linguistic, and psychological dimensions of language development.
Reflections
Throughout this course, I have learned about the linguistic elements and concepts of a language, such as the speech sound of a language, word formation, the meaning of the words, the way of how words and phrases are putting together to form a sentence and its syntax rules. Furthermore, I also learned why and how language is changing. Language is changing constantly and it keeps on evolving, due to the adaptation to the new generation users. So, we are changing the way of how we speak nowadays and adding new words to refer to something that is new to the society, such as technologies.
By the end of the course, the students are required to do a language analysis report and present it to the class (sample 1), which applying the basic elements of language that we have learned throughout the course into the writing, such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and lexicons. And by doing so, the students will be able to make connections and apply theoretical concepts in the future.
Throughout the course, the students are also required to do a pre-test and post-test of self evaluation, which allow the student to determined the level in a linguistic field before and after taking this course. Through the pre-test, I was able to apply my knowledge to the test, which is based on my linguistic understanding, and through the post-test, I was able to apply new knowledge, which I have learned from this course. And by doing the self evaluating tests, I was able to find out my strengths and weaknesses in the linguistic field.
Overall, I was able to define what language is and able to understand more about the English language, which I had deepened my knowledge.
By the end of the course, the students are required to do a language analysis report and present it to the class (sample 1), which applying the basic elements of language that we have learned throughout the course into the writing, such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and lexicons. And by doing so, the students will be able to make connections and apply theoretical concepts in the future.
Throughout the course, the students are also required to do a pre-test and post-test of self evaluation, which allow the student to determined the level in a linguistic field before and after taking this course. Through the pre-test, I was able to apply my knowledge to the test, which is based on my linguistic understanding, and through the post-test, I was able to apply new knowledge, which I have learned from this course. And by doing the self evaluating tests, I was able to find out my strengths and weaknesses in the linguistic field.
Overall, I was able to define what language is and able to understand more about the English language, which I had deepened my knowledge.