EDU 300 – Summer 2017

Theories of Language Acquisition (EDU300 – 2 credits)

Online

“There is no speech or language where their voice (the knowledge of God and the works of his hand) is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world”
Psalm 19:3 & 4

Instructor: Dr. Todd Morano E Mail: Telephone: 619-252-5733 (cell)

Course Description:

This course will introduce theories of language acquisition, models of language instruction and literacy development in an online format. This course is conducted in an asynchronous format – meaning that you are to complete all weekly readings, assignments, and assessments at your own pace within the scheduled time frame of the course (May 22nd to June 21st, 2017). Weekly video lectures, assignment directions, and assignment scoring rubrics will be housed on Blackboard. Due to the sequential nature of the content and assignments, each week will “open” at midnight on Sunday and close at noon the following Saturday.

Course Objectives:

The student will:

·  Develop an understanding of current theories of language acquisition at different age levels

·  Relate theories of language acquisition to classroom practices and language instruction

·  Become familiar with the terminology used in language acquisition research and with current research areas

·  Develop a greater sensitivity and understanding of the cultural and linguistic needs of second language learners

Text:

Brown, H. Douglas (2007). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching, (Fifth Edition). Longman: White Plains, New York.

Supplemental readings and articles as assigned

Licensure/Framework Standards

(a) Initial License. All sponsoring organizations and approved programs leading to the Initial license shall provide the following components:

  1. Preparation that addresses the following:
  2. Subject matter knowledge requirements for the license. See 603 CMR 7.06, 7.07, 7.09, and 7.11. The following additional requirements apply to baccalaureate teacher preparation programs:
  3. For elementary, teacher of students with moderate disabilities, teacher of students with severe disabilities, teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, and teacher of the visually impaired licenses: not less than 36 semester hours in upper and lower level arts and sciences coursework addressing the relevant subject knowledge topics for those licenses set forth in 603 CMR 7.06. Some of this coursework might also count toward the required arts or sciences major or general education requirements.
  4. For middle school licenses: 36 semester hours in a mathematics/science or English/history program of studies. This does not exclude the possibility of obtaining a single subject license in any of these subjects for grades 5-8.
  5. For the general science license: at least 36 semester hours addressing the topics for the general science license.
  6. Knowledge of appropriate student learning standards in Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

3.  Practicum or practicum equivalent.

4.  License-specific assessment of candidate performance during the practicum or practicum equivalent, using guidelines developed by the Department.

5.  Appropriate services for advising candidates.

ELL: A, B, C and G2

(9) English as a Second Language (Levels: PreK-6; 5-12)

(a) Requirements for the English as a Second Language license

7.06: (9) Subject Matter Knowledge Standards

(a) The following items will be assessed on a subject matter knowledge test:

7.06: (9) Subject Matter Knowledge Standards / Outcome Assessments
1. Language and Linguistics
(a) Language as a system: functions and registers of language / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(b) The structure and nature of language: Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, discourse varieties, aspects of social and academic language, rhetorical registers, and writing conventions / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(c) Language variation and change / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
2. Language Acquisition and Literacy Development
(a) Theory and research in first and second language acquisition / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(b) Knowledge of the significant theories and practices for developing reading skills and reading comprehension in English as a first language at different educational levels / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(c) Relevance of linguistic differences between the first and the second language for reading instruction in English / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(i) Oral/Aural fluency in English at different proficiency levels / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(j) Social and academic English and academic language for the content areas / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
3.Instructional Approaches and Best Practices for Teaching ESL
(c) Research-based practices for English language development / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
4. Socio-cultural and socio-emotional considerations in teaching ESL
(a) Regional, socioeconomic, and developmental factors influencing language variation and bilingualism or multilingualism / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(c) Cultural, racial, ethnic, and linguistic identity / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam
(f) The role of the community, families, and schools in English language learner education / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, EL Policy Research Paper, Final Exam
5. Formal and informal English language assessment procedures and instruments for English language learners: selection, administration, and interpretation; identification of bias and normal variation in performance as well as possible differentiation from learning disabilities.
(b) The following shall be included in an approved program but will not be addressed on the subject matter test:
1. Federal and State laws pertaining to the education of English language learners / EL Policy Research Paper
2. Theoretical, political, and historical foundations of education for English language learners / EL Policy Research Paper, Final Exam
4. Strategies for school collaboration, family outreach, and community involvement for English language learners / Quizzes, Reading Reflections, Final Exam

Course Particulars and Assignments:

1.  Course Completion: The course opens on May 22nd and concludes on Wednesday, June 21st. All assigned lessons, readings, course assignments, and assessments must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the date posted in the Course Calendar. The course closes at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on June 21st. The readings, assignments, and assessments are sequential and must be completed within the week they are assigned on the Course Calendar. No late work will be accepted each week or after June 21st.

2.  EL Policy Research Paper/Presentation (Signature Assignment): You will be assigned a research paper on a topic relevant to English Learner policy or law (local, state, or federal). This paper is due by Monday, June 12th. Details, requirements, and a scoring rubric for the paper will be posted on Blackboard.

3.  Reading Reflections: A Reading Reflection Form (RRF) is posted on Blackboard for use on the weekly reading reflections. The RRFs for each chapter assigned are to be submitted on Blackboard by noon on the Saturday of each week.

4.  Chapter Activity Responses: For each assigned chapter, you will be assigned to respond to specific question prompts found at the end of the chapter. Your responses are to be submitted on Blackboard by noon on the Saturday of each week.

5.  Assessments - Quizzes: There will be 4 weekly quizzes (10 points each) posted on Blackboard. You will be able to take each quiz only after the readings and assignments leading up to the quiz have been submitted. The quizzes may only be taken once. Quizzes will open on each Friday evening and will remain open until noon on Monday - after three days the posted quiz will close and may not be taken. There is no opportunity for making up a missed quiz.

6.  Final Exam: The Final Exam will be posted on June 19th and will remain open until noon on June 21st. The final may only be attempted once. There will be no opportunity for making up the final once it has closed. The final will be a comprehensive exam assessing your knowledge and understanding of language theories, linguistic principles, and factors of language acquisition. A study guide for the final will be posted on Blackboard one week prior to the exam date.

7.  Grading:

Assignment Points

EL Policy Research Paper 45

Reading Reflections 40 (5 points each)

Chapter activity response 45 (5 points each

Quizzes 40 (10 points each)

Final Exam 60

Total points possible for the course: 230

Grading Scale

A = 93-100% C = 75-79%

A- = 90-92% C- = 70-74%

B+ = 88-89% D = 65-69%

B = 83-87% F = 0-64%

B- = 80-82%

** All work is to be submitted on the date due for full credit. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Gordon College Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Academic dishonesty is regarded as a major violation of both the academic and spiritual principles of this community and may result in a failing grade or suspension. Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism (see Plagiarism), cheating (whether in or out of the classroom) and abuse or misuse of library materials when such abuse or misuse can be related to course requirements. In the event of academic dishonesty, the faculty member will:

1. Determine the nature and extent of the offense

2. Always assign an “F” for the assignment in which the dishonesty occurred and normally assign an “F” for the entire course

3. Contact the vice president for student development, who, after consultation with the faculty member, will determine if disciplinary action is necessary; disciplinary action may include suspension from the College.

Given the seriousness of academic dishonesty, students pressed by an unusual academic load are encouraged to discuss their difficulties openly with the appropriate instructor rather than feel compelled to resort to such extremes.

Students with Disabilities:
Gordon College is committed to assisting students with documented disabilities. (See Academic Catalog Appendix C, for documentation guidelines.) A student with a disability who may need academic accommodations should follow this procedure:

1.  Meet with a staff person from the Academic Support Center (Jenks 412, x4746) to:

a.  make sure documentation of your disability is on file in the ASC,

b.  discuss the accommodations for which you are eligible,

c.  discuss procedures for obtaining the accommodations, and

d.  obtain a Faculty Notification Form.

2.  Deliver a Faculty Notification Form to each course professor within the first full week of the semester; at that time make an appointment do discuss your needs with each professor. Failure to register in time with your professor and the ASC may compromise our ability to provide the accommodations. Questions or disputes about accommodations should be immediately referred to the Academic Support Center. See Grievance Procedures available from the ASC.

Library Resources Statement:

Students are responsible to obtain any library resources assigned for this course. Questions about library resources should be directed to librarians in the Jenks Library. Librarians are available to assist you from the library reference desk, by e-mail at , or by phone (978) 867-4878.

EDU 300 Course Calendar

This calendar is subject to change depending on how we progress through the course. Course calendar and schedule, topics, evaluation and assignments may be changed at the instructor's discretion. Calendar Updates will be discussed in class. Students are responsible for keeping current with all calendar updates.

Date / Assignment
Due by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Saturday unless otherwise noted
Week 1:
5/22-26 / Video Lessons 1.1 & 1.2
·  Reading Reflection (RR) Chapter 1
·  Question #10 on page 20
·  RR Chapter 2
·  Questions #3 & 5 on page 51
·  Quiz #1 Opened 5/26-5/29 (noon)
Week 2:
5/29-6/2 / Video Lesson 2.1
·  RR Chapter 3
·  Question #7 on page 81
·  The 2nd bullet on page 83
·  RR Chapter 4
·  Quiz #2 Opened 6/2-6/5 (noon)
Week 3:
6/5-9 / Video Lessons 3.1 & 3.2
·  RR Chapter 5
·  Question #9 on page 149
·  The 4th bullet on page 150
·  RR Chapter 6
·  Quiz #3 Opened 6/9-6/12 (noon)
Week 4:
6/12-16 / Video Lessons 4.1 & 4.2
·  RR Chapter 7
·  Question #6 on page 215
·  RR Chapter 8
·  Question #3 on page 243
·  Quiz #4 Opened 6/16-19 (noon)
·  Research Paper DUE Monday June 13th
Week 5:
6/19-21 / ·  FINAL EXAM (Opened until 12:00 p.m. on June 21st).