PLMCLA-Child Language Acquisition

Module Provider: Clinical Language Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr George Pontikas
Email: g.pontikas@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This is an introduction into child language acquisition.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an overview of language development in typically developing children. We focus on outlining developmental milestones and introduce current theories in child language acquisition.

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Identify and describe the main stages of typical language development;


2. Outline theoretical principles and issues in child language acquisition


3. Apply their knowledge of language development to data;


4. Identify atypical development on the basis of data


5. Discuss ideas and controversies in the field of first language acquisition;  

Additional outcomes:
Students will learn to carry out computer-aided analyses of child language data. They will be able to make connections between theoretically driven ideas of child language acquisition and clinical data.

Outline content:

The first half of the lectures cover the development of a child’s sound system, the emergence of their first words and enrichment of their vocabulary knowledge and concludes with children’s first combinations of words and grammar. The second half of the lectures covers the acquisition of more complex morphosyntactic structures, development of language use and addresses theoretical approaches to language development. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Eight two-hour lectures once a week for 8 weeks and 2 two-hour practical sessions.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16
Seminars	8
Practicals classes and workshops	4
Guided independent study:	72
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Class test administered by School	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The assessment consists of a comprehensive test at the end of the module

Formative assessment methods:

There will be a model test made available around the start of term. This will be shorter than the summative assessment and cover content from the first lectures. Its format will be the same as that of the summative in class test. 

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-assessment by September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 30 March 2023