LG115-4-AU-CO:
Child Language Development
2026/27
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
04 June 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module provides students with an introduction to the field of child language development. We will gain an overview of the history of the research area and then consider factors that determine how and when children acquire language. We will look at mono-, bi- and multilingual learning and use of language.
Specific topics focus on what is being acquired (e.g. morphemes, words, sentences, discourse) and how the child’s social environment both inside and outside the home shapes development. We will give due consideration to the complexities of language and communication and also touch upon developmental language disorders.
The aims of this module are:
- To introduce students to contemporary issues in the study of children’s language development;
- To consider the linguistic, cognitive and social aspects interacting in language acquisition;
- To provide insight into current theoretical and empirical approaches to the field of child language;
- To promote transferable skills including data analysis, academic writing, bibliographical referencing and giving oral presentations, which will be useful both inside and outside the academic context.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Define key terminology and concepts relating to child language acquisition and development;
- Understand what is involved in of the acquisition of linguistic knowledge;
- Appreciate factors that influence children’s language development;
- Show awareness of mono-, bi- and multilingual language learning and use;
- Evaluate evidence used to support theories of language acquisition;
- Cultivate team working skills through a group presentation and related learning activities.
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered via:
- A weekly two-hour session over one term. Each session comprises a mixture of lecture-style input and interactive seminar tasks such as discussion, exercises and pair/group work. The last two sessions of the term will focus on students’ team presentations.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Quiz |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Written assignment |
|
55% |
| Practical |
Oral group presentation |
|
25% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Karen Roehr-Brackin, email: kroehr@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Karen Roehr-Brackin
Karen Roehr-Brackin, kroehr@essex.ac.uk, room: 4.334
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Roxanne Taylor
University of Huddersfield
Lecturer in English
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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