Postgraduate course, Nanyang Technological University
This course deals with both theoretical and descriptive frameworks in the study of language acquisition and prerequisites to language development. Topics of interest include the fundamental stages and processes of language development, the components of language systems (e.g., phonology, syntax, and semantics), normal versus abnormal courses of development of these language components, and theories to account for speech and language development – such as the role of input, nature versus nurture, individual differences in acquisition, and language socialization.
Undergraduate course, Nanyang Technological University
This course will examine a range of theoretical models of second language acquisition and evaluate their validity in explaining patterns of second language acquisition. Students will also explore influences on the process of second language acquisition such as the effects of the first language, the age of acquisition, motivation, aptitude, input factors and individual learner strategies. Similarities and differences between first and second language acquisition will also be discussed.
Undergraduate course, the University of Adelaide
This is the capstone course for the Linguistics Major. All languages vary internally in accordance with a range of parameters including the gender, age, social class, occupation, origins etc. of their speakers. Most languages have distinct regional and social varieties. They also vary according to the contexts in which they are used and the purposes for which they are employed. All living languages constantly change over time in response to innovations introduced by younger generations, technological change or contact with other languages or with other varieties of the same language. Drawing on descriptive and analytic skills developed during their undergraduate study of linguistics, students will undertake independent study of language variation and change, assembling their own body of data either through archival, library, internet research or field research.
Postgraduate course, the University of Adelaide
The course is designed to prepare the student for independent research. This project of 15,000 words is based on primary and secondary sources and materials. It involves the development of a sustained argument around a specific topic. That topic will be one of the student's own choice, but is subject to approval by the Honours Coordinator and Supervisor.
Undergraduate course, the University of Adelaide
People communicate in different ways depending on their cultural identities. This includes their age, ethnicity, nationality, profession, socio-economic status, religion, sexuality, and more. This course examines cross-cultural communication through the lens of linguistics. It explores how language shapes and reflects cultural identities, communication practices, and social interactions across diverse cultural contexts. The course emphasizes linguistic theories, sociolinguistic patterns, and pragmatic aspects of intercultural communication. The ability to analyse and engage in cross-cultural communication will be relevant and useful in students’ professional and personal lives. This course will be of interest to a wide range of students, including those in Linguistics, Medicine, Nursing and other health professions, Law, Media, Education, Social Work, languages, and more. Its content will be of use to both those going into professions and those seeking to engage in research careers.
Undergraduate course, the University of Adelaide
This course looks at the use of language in society and its relationship to the culture(s) of its speakers. Students are introduced to the broad fields of socio-linguistics and anthropological linguistics. The course studies language variation across regions, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, religion, level of education etc. The course also looks at language as a window into the culture of its speakers, thus serving as a useful tool for anthropologists in coming to understand cultural institutions and the world-view of speakers. A major focus will be on how different languages and language varieties co-exist, complement or replace other languages and language varieties or even result in new languages. The course will be activity-based and will encourage students to observe language as it is used around them. They may be required to collect and analyse authentic language data in use within the community.
Undergraduate course, the University of Adelaide
In this course, students will learn about linguistics; that is, the scientific study of language and its structures. Focusing mainly on words and sub-word parts, students will learn principles to analyse word structure and the role of words in language. Within words, phonetic properties are explored, as is the notion of decomposing a word into minimally meaningful elements. Students will critically consider how words, and more broadly language, function within the context of the individuals and communities who use and produce language. Theories of sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics will be explored to develop competence and confidence when conducting linguistic analysis with individuals and communities different to their own, including individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD). The impacts of language loss, as well as language revival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be examined, with a focus on the relationship between language, health and wellbeing.
Postgraduate course, University of New England
This unit is about the structure of human language, and about how languages work as systems of communication. Drawing on examples from English and other languages, you will learn the basic analytical concepts and skills needed to understand and describe the internal design of human languages in general. You will learn to analyse sound systems, word formation and sentence patterns using standard techniques of phonemic, morphological, syntactic and semantic analysis. There is a strong emphasis on problem-solving and data analysis.
Postgraduate course, Macquarie University
This unit is concerned with the study of language and language learning from diverse sociolinguistic perspectives. It provides both historical and contemporary perspectives on the development of social understandings of language relating to power, diversity, and various societal/global ideologies. Language and language learning are studied as dynamic social processes, and the role of individuals in these social processes is also considered. The nature of 'community' is examined from sociological perspectives, and the relations between language, learning, and community are explored.
Undergraduate course, Macquarie University
This unit introduces students to the field of sociolinguistics by focusing on three main areas: multilingual speech communities, inter-speaker language variation, and intra-speaker language variation. The unit draws upon research in Australia and around the world on a wide variety of languages, to develop students' understanding of the nature of variation and change in language at a global, national, local and individual level. Students take part in group and individual activities to develop an understanding of sociolinguistic research.
Undergraduate course, Macquarie University
This unit explores some common misunderstandings about language, and introduces students to a range of linguistic topics such as historical linguistics, language evolution, writing systems, and gesture. The unit showcases what linguists do outside of academia and provides practice in analysing real linguistic data.