Acquisition of a seond or foreign language: theory and applications

Language

French

Prerequisites

C1 level in French (Common European Framework of Reference)

Main themes

The course focuses on an introduction to language learning mechanisms and underlying theories.
The following will be covered:

• conditioning and reinforcement (behaviourist theories);
• comprehensible input (inneist theories);
• equilibration (constructivist theories);
• potential learning sequences (socioconstructivist theories);
• routine formats (culturalist theories);
• metalinguistic skills (gestalt theories);
• long-term memory (cognitive theories).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Understand the processes of acquisition of a second or foreign language, in the light of the method of acquisition of the first language;
2	Analyse methods of learning in a critical way by highlighting the implicit processes of acquisition;
3	Build didactic devices on the basis of these processes;
4	Formulate research questions / hypotheses relating to the acquisition of foreign and second languages.

Content

The course presents the main theories of language acquisition of a second or foreign language and describes the mechanisms of language learning related to them.
After a definition of the notion of learner, a brief historical overview of research in the field is presented.  A comparison is then made between L1 and L2 acquisition, followed by a reflection on the concept of motivation.
This is followed by a systematic discussion of learning theories and mechanisms: behaviourism (acquisition and reinforcement), innate learning (comprehensible input), constructivism (balancing), socio-constructivism (potentially acquisitional sequences), culturalism (routine formats), gestalt learning (metalinguistic skills), cognitivism (long-term memory) and emergentism theory.
These theories will be linked to methods and exercises dedicated to the learning of a second or foreign language.

Teaching methods

Part of the course is devoted to the presentation of language learning mechanisms and reference theories.
These lectures are complemented by document analyses (texts of the authors studied, units of learning methods, didactic devices, research presentations), according to an interactive and collaborative methodology.

Evaluation methods

Continuous assessment (40%)

• attendance and active participation (portfolio or reading log) (5%)
• completion of multiple-choice questions (5%)
• in-class presentation of theoretical readings and commented exercises (15%)
• final test (15%)

Continuous assessment tasks may not be submitted after the deadline set by the instructor, except with a medical certificate. No continuous assessment tasks may be submitted in the August session.
Final assessment (60%)

• Written assignment due at the beginning of the term (40%)
• Oral presentation with written support at the end of the term (20%)

An absence (justified or not) for the final exam (or one of its parts) will result in a final mark of absence.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity.

Online resources

References, theoretical readings and sample exercises are available on Moodle. Course slides are available as the course progresses.

Bibliography

La liste bibliographique est disponible sur le site Moodle du cours.
A bibliographical list is available on the course website.

Teaching materials

• Les supports de cours se trouvent à la page https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=5782#section-0
• The course materials can be found at https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=5782#section-0

Faculty or entity

> ELAL