EDUC 4683: Linguistics for Teachers

(also cross-listed as EDUC 5193 for graduate students)

Course Description

This 3 credit-hour course will introduce you to the study of linguistics and investigates why it is relevant to the teaching of English as a second language. You'll be introduced to the fundamentals of the sound system in English (phonetics and phonology), the way that meaningful units in the language combine to form words (morphology), the sentence system (syntax), the elements of grammar that are relevant in the ESL classroom (pedagogical grammar), the role of language in society (sociolinguistics), and the use of language in communicative situations (discourse analysis). We will also discuss the pedagogical implications of the structural and social aspects of language.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course you will be able to

  • Define and discuss key concepts in phonetics, phonology, morphology, grammar, syntax, discourse analysis, and sociolinguistics
  • Identify similar features of all languages according to these specific fields of linguistics
  • Demonstrate the importance of these areas of linguistics in the classroom, especially the ESL/EFL classroom
  • Apply your knowledge of linguistics to anticipate and assist students with language issues

Pre-requisites: You must meet the entrance requirements of Acadia University and have demonstrated some undergraduate course experience.

Instructional Hours: 36