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PLMLAP: Language Acquisition and Processing
Module code: PLMLAP
Module provider: Clinical Language Sciences; Sch of Psych and CLS
Credits: 20
Level: Postgraduate Masters
When you'll be taught: Semester 2
Module convenor: Dr George Pontikas, email: g.pontikas@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: Yes
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 23 May 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
The module examines the relation between language and the human mind. It covers two main areas in the field of psycholinguistics which are essential to SLT practise and are core content of Language Sciences; how individuals come to know their own language (language acquisition) and the cognitive mechanisms and processes involved when we speak or listen to language (language processing). This module draws on both linguistics and psychology in order to best understand the mind-language relationship. The content includes key concepts and facts but also offers both a descriptive and evaluative approach to human language. The module presents opposing theoretical approaches to language acquisition and processing and evaluates them based on empirical evidence. To this end, research paradigms that elucidate our understanding of language acquisition and processing are presented throughout. Diverse populations, specifically bilinguals and individuals with different language and communication difficulties are central to this module. Â
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Â
- Identify and describe the main stages and psycholinguistic mechanisms in language development and processing as well as informative research paradigms Â
- Outline key concepts and core theoretical debates in language acquisition and processing with critical reference to empirical data Â
- Critically assess observational and experimental language data in relation to both clinical assessment and theoretical interpretation Â
- Review differences and difficulties in language acquisition, production and comprehension across a range of diverse populations.Â
Module content
Language acquisition:Â
- Phonological development Â
- Baby’s first production: sounds and words Â
- Lexical development: Learning new words Â
- Morphosyntactic development: Grammar Â
- Acquisition of Complex StructuresÂ
- Pragmatics – Sociolinguistic development Â
- Growing up with two languages (bilingualism)Â
- Theoretical debates in language acquisition Â
Language processing:Â Â
- Comprehension of human speechÂ
- Language production Â
- Recognising words (lexical processing)Â
- Processing (inflectional) morphology Â
- Comprehension of sentences Â
- Discourse processing – understanding context Â
- Bilingual language processing Â
- Language and cognition – theoretical implicationsÂ
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures: There will be 16 two-hour lectures; these will be split equally between language acquisition and processing. The content will be aligned between acquisition and processing as much as possibleÂ
Practicals: There will be 2 two-hour practicals on the use of specialised software (CLAN) for the purposes of linguistic analysis and assessment. This is relevant for ILOs 3 and 4. Â
Seminars: There will be 2 two-hour seminars on how to review a research paper. This is relevant for ILOs 1 and 2.Â
Independent study: Students are expected to engage in independent study. This entails reading both core textbooks and a range of research papers. Â
Study hours
At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 32 | ||
Seminars | 4 | ||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | 4 | ||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | 8 | ||
Feedback meetings with staff | 2 | ||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 150 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Paper review | 30 | 1,500 words | Semester 2, Teaching Week 8 | Students will review a published research paper and discuss it relevance/applicability to other populations. |
Online written examination | Exam | 70 | 1.5 hours | Semester 2, Assessment Period | Questions will test key terms and concepts; questions will focus on application and interpretation and may include examples, data and reference to research methods. |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- 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 three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
- Online quizzes in a similar format to the examÂ
- 2 seminars supporting students towards the coursework; in the first one, students will review a research paper; in the second seminar, students will examine able reviews of research papers. Â
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Paper review | 30 | 1,500 words | During the University resit period | Students will review a published research paper; this will involve summarising/evaluating it as well as discussing its relevance/extension to other populations. |
Online written examination | Exam | 70 | 1.50 hours | During the University resit period | Questions will test key terms and concepts; questions will focus on application and interpretation and may include examples, data and reference to research methods |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.