Second Language Aquisition - Single View

This course provides an overview of current issues and controversies in second language (L2) acquisition research, focusing on generative approaches to the L2 acquisition of syntax. Specific questions to be addressed include: What are the similarities and differences between child first language (L1) and adult L2 acquisition of grammar, and between early and late bilinguals? How do L2 learners acquire the target grammar? What aspects of grammar are particularly difficult for L2 learners to acquire, and why? What is special about L3 acquisition? How and to what extent do properties of learners’ prior language(s) influence the development of L2/L3 grammatical competence?

The course language is English.

This course presupposes a good grounding in grammatical theory and description.