Research Methods in Bilingualism and Multilingualism 3301-ZJ-JS017
This course is devoted to the issue of literacy, in the narrow sense of the term, the ability to write and read in foreign language learning and teaching. In a broader sense, it also addresses the issue of developing digital literacies in this context. It discusses the definitions of the key term, mental processes related to the acquisition of reading and writing skills, and the influence of individual differences (e.g. age, motivation, or gender of students) on their development. During this course approaches to teaching these skills and ways of assessing them are presented. Its main aim is also to make students understand empirical research on the most important problems in this area and gain knowledge about the research methods used.
Topics include:
1. Introduction to Research on Bilingualism and Multilingualism – definitions of mono-, bi-, and multilingualism; plurilingualism and linguistic competence; an overview of types of bilingualism and its social dimensions.
2. Transfer and Cross-Linguistic Influence in the Context of Multilingualism – phenomena of interference and cross-linguistic similarity and their consequences for language acquisition and use.
3. Research Methods and Approaches in the Study of Multilingualism – linguistic, qualitative, and quantitative approaches; research design, participant sampling, and types of data.
4. Empirical Studies on Learning Multiple Languages – the role of cross-linguistic similarity, metalinguistic knowledge, and transfer in acquiring additional languages; correlational, group-comparison, and experimental studies.
5. Psycholinguistic Approaches to Multilingualism – representation of languages in the mind, the functioning of the bilingual mental lexicon, and the effects of cognate facilitation and interference.
6. Cognitive and Mental Consequences of Bilingualism and Multilingualism – the impact of knowing multiple languages on cognitive processes, perception, attention, and cognitive control; the concept of the “bilingual advantage.”
7. Bilingualism in Development and Contemporary Research Debates – methodology of research on bilingual children, operationalisation and control of variables, findings on language development, and current controversies surrounding the bilingual advantage; course summary.
Course coordinators
Type of course
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Students will have in-depth familiarity with:
- K_W01 Advanced terminology, theory and research methods used in studies on bilingualism and multilingualism, corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path),
- K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright.
Abilities
Students will be able to:
- K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and methods of linguistic research to solve complex and original research problems in the field of bilingualism and multilingualism in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and educational path),
- K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law.
Social competences Students will be ready to:
- K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources,
- K_K02 initiate action in the public interest, think and act entrepreneurially.
Assessment criteria
- preparation for classes (verification of outcomes: W)
- preparation and delivery of a presentation (verification of outcomes: W, U)
- group work (verification of outcomes: K)
- completion of short in-class tasks (verification of outcomes: K, U, W)
- partial written assignments (verification of outcomes: W, U)
- project tasks completed during the semester (verification of outcomes: W, U, K)
- final test in written or oral form (verification of outcomes: W, U)
The use of AI tools is permitted at the preparatory stage, in particular for research, planning, and idea generation. All written assignments and other forms of assessment must be completed independently; the use of AI to generate content that forms part of the final submission is not permitted.
Bibliography
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