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First Language Acquisition (LING30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
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This subject is an overview of how children learn language - from before birth through the school years. We will study development across the core domains of language, including phonology, grammar, semantics and pragmatics. Throughout the subject, there is a focus on cross-linguistic comparison and grounding in relation to current theoretical models of language acquisition and cognitive and social development.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Draw on and critically evaluate knowledge of how the linguistic system develops in the child, including the sound system, grammar, meaning, and pragmatics
- Position themselves within theoretical debates in first language acquisition research
- Confidently deploy discipline specific research skills using primary and secondary sources and empirical data with a strong sense of research ethics and intellectual integrity
- Proficiently employ learning and research technologies as well as field-specific technologies such as the CHILDES database
- Attain advanced abilities in writing and other modalities
- Consolidate their understanding of social and cultural diversity and how they impact first language acquisition.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Think critically
- Be able to effectively communicate ideas in writing.
Last updated: 14 March 2025