LANGUAGE & MIND
Key references for assignment topic 1
(References marked with * are available on mymodule.tcd.ie and in the course materials section of this website)
Explain the processes of the human mind when commiting concepts delivered in spoken words or written text to memory. Discuss the role of different types of memory (sensory, working, long-term, etc.) in this process, and explain how information is stored in the human brain, or forgotten. Based on cognitive theory, suggest reasons why some people seem to be “better at remembering stuff” they read or hear than others, and/or offer recommendations to improve memory.
Key texts
* Anderson, J. R. (2005). Cognitive psychology and its implications. Worth.
* Matlin, M. (2005). Cognition. Wiley.
Further reading
Ashcraft, M H. & Radvansky, G. A. (2010). Cognition. Pearson.
Boeckx, C. 2010). Language in cognition. Wiley-Blackwell.
Bybee, J. (2010). Language, usage and cognition. Cambridge.
* Robinson, P.(2003). Attention and memory during SLA. In Doughty & Long (eds.), The handbook of Second Language Acquisition, pp. 631-678. Blackwell.
Ullman, M. T. (2006). Language and the brain. In Fasold & Connor-Linton (eds.), An Introduction to language and linguistics, pp. 235-274. Cambridge.
Key texts
* Anderson, J. R. (2005). Cognitive psychology and its implications. Worth.
* Matlin, M. (2005). Cognition. Wiley.
Further reading
Ashcraft, M H. & Radvansky, G. A. (2010). Cognition. Pearson.
Boeckx, C. 2010). Language in cognition. Wiley-Blackwell.
Bybee, J. (2010). Language, usage and cognition. Cambridge.
* Robinson, P.(2003). Attention and memory during SLA. In Doughty & Long (eds.), The handbook of Second Language Acquisition, pp. 631-678. Blackwell.
Ullman, M. T. (2006). Language and the brain. In Fasold & Connor-Linton (eds.), An Introduction to language and linguistics, pp. 235-274. Cambridge.
Key references for assignment topic 4
(References marked with * are available on mymodule.tcd.ie and in the course materials section of this website)
“A common observation is that not only are some language learners more successful than others, but also that good language learners sometimes do different things than poorer language learners.” Gass and Selinker (2008, p. 439).
Discuss the individual differences in learning a second language when answering the question—why are some learners better than others at learning a second language? Focus on cognitive and psychological differences, rather than behavioural differences. Possible topics to explore are: cognitive learning strategies, learning styles, motivation, attitude, affect and self-regulation.
Key texts
Dornyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner. Lawrence Erlbaum.
* Dornyei, Z. & Skehan, P. (2003). Individual differences in second language learning. In Doughty & Long (eds.), The handbook of Second Language Acquisition, pp. 589-630. Blackwell.
* Lightbrown, P. M. & Spada, N. (2006). How Languages are Learned. Oxford.
Further reading
Dornyei, Z. (2009). The psychology of second language acquisition. Oxford.
Dornyei, Z. & Ushioda, E. (Eds.) (2011). Teaching and researching motivation. Second edition. Pearson.
Cohen, A. D. & Macaro, E. (Eds.) (2007). Language learner strategies. Oxford.
* Ellis, R. (1997). Second Language Acquisition. Oxford.
* Mackey, A. (2006). Second Language Acquisition. In Fasold and Connor-Linton (eds.), An Introduction to language and linguistics, pp. 433-464. Cambridge University Press.
Discuss the individual differences in learning a second language when answering the question—why are some learners better than others at learning a second language? Focus on cognitive and psychological differences, rather than behavioural differences. Possible topics to explore are: cognitive learning strategies, learning styles, motivation, attitude, affect and self-regulation.
Key texts
Dornyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner. Lawrence Erlbaum.
* Dornyei, Z. & Skehan, P. (2003). Individual differences in second language learning. In Doughty & Long (eds.), The handbook of Second Language Acquisition, pp. 589-630. Blackwell.
* Lightbrown, P. M. & Spada, N. (2006). How Languages are Learned. Oxford.
Further reading
Dornyei, Z. (2009). The psychology of second language acquisition. Oxford.
Dornyei, Z. & Ushioda, E. (Eds.) (2011). Teaching and researching motivation. Second edition. Pearson.
Cohen, A. D. & Macaro, E. (Eds.) (2007). Language learner strategies. Oxford.
* Ellis, R. (1997). Second Language Acquisition. Oxford.
* Mackey, A. (2006). Second Language Acquisition. In Fasold and Connor-Linton (eds.), An Introduction to language and linguistics, pp. 433-464. Cambridge University Press.