Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ENG2085

 
TITLE Child Language Acquisition of English

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT English

 
DESCRIPTION Child Language Acquisition of English 1

Objective

Students will be introduced to the theories and research on language acquisition of English.

Description

The study-unit covers the biological bases of language and the child's acquisition of the phonology, syntax and semantics of English. Child Language Acquisition of English I will also include a discussion of children’s metalinguistic abilities and their growing awareness of form and function of speech acts.


Child Language Acquisition of English 2

Objective

Students will apply theories of child language acquisition through qualitative research among pre-school children.

Description

This study-unit consists of a series of seminars dealing with theory and research in child language acquisition of English. Topics covered will include, among others, the importance of child-mother interactions, gender and class-related differences in children's language and parents’ understanding of children's speech.

Reading List

Child Language Acquisition of English 1

Selected Reading

- Berko-Gleason, J. 1994. The Development of Language. Harvard: Harvard University Press.
- Brown, R. 1973. A First Language. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin.
- Kess, J. 1992. Psycholinguistics. Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Child Language Acquisition of English 2

There is no set text but students will be asked to consult the relevant journals in this area.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 30%
Presentation SEM2 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Lydia Sciriha

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit