First and Second Language
Development
Bil Ed 493/593
Fall 1998
Instructor: Holbrook Mahn
Times: Thurs 4-6:30
Credit Hours: 3
Place: Mitchell Hall 215
Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 2:00-3:30 pm, and to be arranged
Hokona 212
Phone 277-5887; home: 881-7981
e-mail: hmahn@unm.edu
Web Page: http://www.unm.edu/~hmahn/
Course Description and Rationale:
This course will examine theories of first and second language acquisition
to provide a theoretical foundation for pedagogical approaches to teaching
bilingual/ESL students. It will initially focus on issues related to theories
explaining how and why humanity developed language use. Then it will examine
how these relate to first and second language acquisition and what practical
lessons can be drawn for classroom practice.
Objectives:
1. To gain an understanding of phylogenetic and ontogenetic language acquisition.
2. To develop an understanding of and sensitivity to the complexities of
dual/multiple language development.
3. To understand the similarities and differences of first and second language
acquisition .
4. To develop pedagogical approaches based on the knowledge constructed
in the first three objectives.
5. To develop our ability to use technology in our classrooms to engage
our students in meaningful language use.
Course Requirements:
1. Keep a journal in which you reflect on aspects of the reading that seem
insightful and/or particularly applicable to your classroom. It is also
a place to reflect on lessons or questions which arise through classroom
discussions and to discuss practical applications. 20%
2. Respond to another student's journal. 10%
3. Contribution to our class' online discussion group. Click here
to get started on our discussion group. Click here
if you are using Netscape 2.0 or 3.0 or if you
have Collabra. Click here
to be linked directly with our discussion group.
While the hope is that all students will be inspired to participate in the
discussions for their own and other's edification, the expectation is that
each student will make at least two contributions a week. 20%
4. A paper/project that will be discussed and developed in the course of
the semester. 40 %
5. Participation in class discussions, groups,
activities. Attendance is mandatory given the interactive nature of the
class. 10%
Graduate Credit -- a short paper (2-3) pages reviewing two online articles
about first and/or second language acquisition. This review will be factored
into the 40% allocated to your paper/project.
Required Reading:
1. The Symbolic Species: The Co-evolution of Language and the Brain,
Terrance W. Deacon. Norton
2. Educating Second Language Children: The Whole Child, the Whole Curriculum,
the Whole Community, Fred Genesee, Ed. Cambridge
Course Schedule :
Week One: August 27
Introduction of students, course, and instructor.
Week Two: September 3
Theme: Why Human Language?
Reading Assignment: The Symbolic Species -- Chapter 1.
Week Three: September 10
Theme: Word Meaning & Reference
Reading Assignment: The Symbolic Species -- Chapter 2
Week Four: September 17
Theme: Symbolic Representation
Reading Assignment: The Symbolic Species -- Chapter 3
Week Five: September 24
Theme: Learning and Social Interaction
Reading Assignment: The Symbolic Species -- Chapter 4
Exchange Journals
Week Six: October 1
Theme: Culture and Empowerment
Reading Assignment: Educating Second Language Children -- Chapters
1 & 2
Week Seven: October 8
Theme: Growing Up Bilingual
Reading Assignment: Educating Second Language Children -- Chapters
3 & 4
Week Eight: October 15
FALL BREAK
Week Nine: October 22
Theme: Early School and Literacy
Reading Assignment: Educating Second Language Children -- Chapters
5 & 6
Exchange Journals
Week Ten: October 29
Theme: Teaching Content & Classroom Strategies
Reading Assignment: Educating Second Language Children -- Chapters
7 & 8
Week Eleven: November 5
Theme: Guest Speakers on Special Education and Bilingual/ESL students
Reading Assignment: Educating Second Language Children --
Chapter 10
Supplementary Reading: A
Guide to Learning Disabilities for the ESL Classroom Practitioner
Week Twelve: November 12
Theme: Assessment & the Challenge of Low Literacy Learners
Reading Assignment: Educating Second Language Children -- Chapters
9 & 11
Week Thirteen: November 19
Theme: Social Issues & Bringing it all Together
Reading Assignment: Educating Second Language Children -- Chapters
12 & 13
Week Fourteen: November 26
Theme: Relating Genesee to Deacon & A Peek inside the Cranium
Reading Assignment: Brain Summaries
Exchange Journals
November 26
Thanksgiving Break
Week Fifteen: December 3
Theme: Humans as Symbol Makers/Culture and Biology
Reading Assignment: The Symbolic Species -- Chapter 11 &12
Journals Due
Week Sixteen: December 10
Theme: The Social Origins of Consciousness
Reading Assignment:The Symbolic Species -- Chapters 13 &14
Week Seventeen: December 17
Theme: Course Evaluation | 