Understanding and supporting multilingual language development (HUM101)

Explore the fascinating world of multilingualism! Through theories and research from linguistics, education, and cultural studies, we will discuss the complex aspects of multilingualism at both the individual and societal levels.

This course examines multilingualism with a focus on three different, but interconnected, themes: (1) language and grammar, (2) learning and teaching, (3) community and society. We will engage with theories and research from linguistic, educational, and cultural studies to understand the complexities of multilingualism from both an individual and societal perspective.

In this course, students and instructors explore and critically evaluate key issues concerning what language is and how languages differ, how languages are learned and taught, and how societies and communities shape language patterns. Topics of discussion include general properties of language as a unique human capability; differences in the acquisition of first, second, and third languages, the role of individual learner characteristics and learning contexts; various types of bi- and multilingualism and multilingual competence; individual and social complexity of multilingualism; the role of identity and multilingual literacies; and language teaching in the classroom.

Knowledge

The students will gain knowledge of:

• how to describe language and multilingualism
• central aspects in the field of second and third language acquisition and teaching
• core aspects of individual and societal multilingualism

Skills

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

• explain, evaluate and reflect on central approaches to the description language and multilingualism
• discuss different factors relevant in (multilingual) language acquisition and teaching
• examine the relationship between language and society in a multilingual context

General competence

By the end of the course, the students:

• will have developed critical thinking and evaluation skills
• will have developed skills in oral presentation and argumentation
• will have developed skills to carry out independent discussions

Lectures and group discussions. These will take place at Sølvberget Library and Culture Centre, Stavanger.

Dates for the lectures:

Friday 12 September 17.00 - 20.00

Friday 26 September 17.00 - 20.00

Saturday 27. September 10.00 - 13.00

Exam date:

NEW DATE FOR THE EXAM is Monday 29. September 17.00

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