LET-REMA-LCEX27
Child Bilingualism
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleLET-REMA-LCEX27
Credits (ECTS)6
Category-
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Arts; Graduate School;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
dr. S. Unsworth
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. S. Unsworth
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. S. Unsworth
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. S. Unsworth
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2021
Period
PER 3-PER 4  (31/01/2022 to 30/08/2022)
Starting block
PER 3
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
The learning outcomes are that students (i) are capable of understanding state-of-the-art child bilingualism literature in considerable detail, (ii) can identify questions, open ends and predictions of the various proposals, (iii) are familiar with some of the most frequently used data collection methods and are able to explain the pros and cons of each, and (iv) are able to translate research findings into practical advice for parents.
Content
How do children acquire two languages at the same time? To what extent do their two languages influence each other? Is there are difference between children who start learning their two languages before age four versus those who start after this age? How do bilingual children compare with their monolingual peers? These are just some of the questions addressed in this course. The course will deal with a number of current issues in the field of bilingual language development, such as age effects, cross-linguistic influence, language dominance and the role of variation in input quantity and quality. The aim of the class is to discuss and evaluate the different perspectives on these issues and to detect the theoretical and empirical gaps that will steer new research. Part of the class involves reading and critically evaluating previous literature. Another part involves carrying out a research project together as a class. We’ll conduct a study from start to finish over the course of the semester, which will mean that you’ll get hands-on experience of all stages of the research cycle. 
Level

Presumed foreknowledge

Test information

Specifics

Required materials
Articles
Various articles and book chapters

Instructional modes
Lecture

Tests
Assignments
Test weight50
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 4, Block PER 4

Minimum grade
5,5

Term paper
Test weight50
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 4, Block PER 4

Minimum grade
5,5