This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2024-2025
Teacher(s)
Language
English
Prerequisites
It is strongly recommended that you have completed LGERM2829 English Linguistics: Corpus Linguistics or LCLIG2250 Méthodologie de l'analyse de corpus en linguistique (or any equivalent introductory course in corpus linguistics).
Main themes
Learner corpora are electronic collections of language data produced by second or foreign language learners. They are used to investigate topics in second language acquisition (SLA) research and linguistic theory in general, inform foreign language teaching, develop learner-corpus-informed tools (e.g. courseware, proficiency tests, dictionaries, and automatic spell- and grammar-checkers), or conduct natural language processing (NLP) tasks.
The aim of this research seminar is to introduce the field of learner corpus research via the completion of an empirical research project. We will focus on one particular topic (e.g. learners’ use of phraseology, linguistic complexity, crosslinguistic influence) and go through each of the necessary steps to conduct a research project (literature review, data selection, quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data, discussion and conclusion).
The course will provide an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and skills for carrying out a learner corpus research project. Depending on the selected topic, special attention will be paid to aspects of learner corpus design (e.g. collection, transcription), data annotation (e.g. coding schemes, manual and automatic annotation, annotation reliability), and/or the different types of methodologies used to analyse learner corpora (comparisons with reference corpora, error analysis, quantitative approaches, etc.).
The aim of this research seminar is to introduce the field of learner corpus research via the completion of an empirical research project. We will focus on one particular topic (e.g. learners’ use of phraseology, linguistic complexity, crosslinguistic influence) and go through each of the necessary steps to conduct a research project (literature review, data selection, quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data, discussion and conclusion).
The course will provide an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and skills for carrying out a learner corpus research project. Depending on the selected topic, special attention will be paid to aspects of learner corpus design (e.g. collection, transcription), data annotation (e.g. coding schemes, manual and automatic annotation, annotation reliability), and/or the different types of methodologies used to analyse learner corpora (comparisons with reference corpora, error analysis, quantitative approaches, etc.).
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into English as a Foreign Language based on learner corpora; |
| 2 | conduct a learner corpus research project (both as a group project in class and individually); |
| 4 | identify research gaps, formulate research questions and hypotheses on the basis of the current state of the art; |
| 5 | annotate and analyse a learner corpus with the help of corpus linguistic tools and techniques; |
| 6 | situate the results against the current state of the art; |
| 7 | work in team (collaborate, share the work, discuss, prepare guidelines, synthesize, report orally on each step of the research process, use tools for collaborative work and citation/reference management); |
| 8 | write a research paper that meets the requirements in terms of content and structure. |
| 3 | identify and critically examine the relevant scientific literature; |
Content
In 2024-25, the seminar will focus more particularly on the use of learner corpora in the fields of second language acquisition and language assessment.
Keywords: linguistic complexity, phraseology, proficiency, CEFR
Keywords: linguistic complexity, phraseology, proficiency, CEFR
Teaching methods
Various: lectures, flipped classroom, discussions, students' presentations, group projects, hands-on sessions
Evaluation methods
The research seminar is evaluated on the basis of the following activities:
- A. Continuous assessment (exercices, group project, etc.) (30%)
- B. A term paper on a topic related to the course content (70%).
Successful completion of Part A and Part B is essential to demonstrate the skills and knowledge defined in the learning outcomes for the teaching unit. A failing grade for either Part A or Part B will result in a failing grade for the entire UE.
Attendance is required. In accordance with article 72 of the General Regulations for Studies and Examinations, the course instructor may propose to the jury that a student with more than 2 unjustified absences be refused registration for the June or September exam.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. Since scientific integrity means quoting sources, the use of AI must always be reported. The use of artificial intelligence for tasks where it is explicitly forbidden will be considered cheating.
- A. Continuous assessment (exercices, group project, etc.) (30%)
- B. A term paper on a topic related to the course content (70%).
Successful completion of Part A and Part B is essential to demonstrate the skills and knowledge defined in the learning outcomes for the teaching unit. A failing grade for either Part A or Part B will result in a failing grade for the entire UE.
Attendance is required. In accordance with article 72 of the General Regulations for Studies and Examinations, the course instructor may propose to the jury that a student with more than 2 unjustified absences be refused registration for the June or September exam.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. Since scientific integrity means quoting sources, the use of AI must always be reported. The use of artificial intelligence for tasks where it is explicitly forbidden will be considered cheating.
Online resources
Bibliography
- Granger, S., Meunier, F. & G. Gilquin (2015) The Cambridge Handbook of Learner Corpus Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Tracy-Ventura, N. & M. Paquot (2021) The Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition and Corpora. Routledge.
Teaching materials
- Slides, exercices, scientific articles available on Moodle
Faculty or entity
