Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

The course aims to develop students' knowledge of theories relating to literacy and language development. After introducing language acquisition as a theoretical issue, the course will concentrate on empirical evidence of the nature and effects of input to children, and the nature of children's language production and comprehension at different stages, including discussion of the processes by which language is acquired.

3 hours per week

Entry to programme

None

None

 The Set Exercises, worth 65%, will provide students with the opportunity to apply the key literacy components involving assessment, planning, and instruction that are covered in class.

The Final Examination, worth 35%, will provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge across literacy concepts, while connecting research and practice.

The aims of the course are to introduce students to the major factors which influence the acquisition and development of language; the major theories and debates of language development; and the role of biological and social factors on language acquisition.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify the basic stages of language development from infancy through the early school years.

2. Compare and contrast different theories of child language acquisition.

3. Examine cross-linguistic and cross-cultural differences in language acquisition and attitudes toward language development.

4. Design lesson plans and activities to help support the development of early years language within the home and classroom

5. Critically analyse academic and policy literature on language acquisition.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.