LG219-5-SP-CO:
Multilingualism
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
22 March 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA QX31 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL),
BA QX41 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) (Including Foundation Year),
BA QX51 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) (Including Placement Year),
BA QXH1 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) (Including Year Abroad),
BA R8T8 Modern Languages and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (5 Years Including Foundation Year),
BA RX91 Modern Languages and Teaching English as a Foreign Language,
BA Q120 Linguistics with Data Science,
BA Q121 Linguistics with Data Science (Including Foundation Year),
BA Q122 Linguistics with Data Science (Including Placement Year),
BA Q123 Linguistics with Data Science (Including Year Abroad),
BSC Q120 Computational Linguistics,
BSC Q121 Computational Linguistics (Including Foundation Year),
BSC Q122 Computational Linguistics (Including Placement Year),
BSC Q123 Computational Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
BA R116 Language Studies and Teaching English as a Foreign Language,
BA R117 Language Studies and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Including Foundation Year)
This module approaches the topic of multilingualism from different perspectives by taking a cognitive, educational and social approach. We will consider multilingualism within the individual speaker/language user/language learner as well as the multilingual individual as a member of society.
The module will cover the following topics:
1. Definitions and contexts
2. Multiple languages in the mind: A bilingual advantage?
3. Multiple languages in the mind: A multilingual advantage?
4. Metalinguistic awareness in multilinguals
5. Models of multilingualism
6. Crosslinguistic influence
7. Factors influencing transfer
8. The multilingual learner
9. Multilingual education
10. Language policy
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the complex field of multilingualism and familiarise you with a selection of topics in this domain in greater depth. We will focus in particular on the cognitive consequences of knowing/using more than one language and on how multilingualism is approached in education, both in the classroom and at the policy level. We will consider theoretical models and look at the findings of specific empirical studies to get an overview of how multilingualism is conceptualised and investigated in current research.
Upon completion of the module, you will have gained an understanding of:
• the concepts of bilingualism and multilingualism and their different definitions,
• how multiple languages are represented in the speaker’s mind and how this may affect the speaker’s use of language,
• the interaction of language knowledge with other aspects of cognition,
• a usage-based approach to theorising and explaining multilingualism,
• approaches to multilingualism in education,
• the status of multilingualism in society.
No additional information available.
One two-hour class per week for 10 weeks comprising a balance of lecture-style input and student-centred seminar activities including discussion and practical exercises.
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 |
Assignment |
31/03/2025 |
80% |
| Practical |
Moodle Quiz |
|
20% |
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.
Karen Roehr-Brackin
Karen Roehr-Brackin (3.306), X2189, kroehr@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
Mr Conrad Hechter Heyns
Goldsmiths, University of London
Director - Centre for Academic Language and Literacies
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).
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