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77901-01 - Lecture: Second Language Development Across the Lifespan (2 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Zeynep Köylü (zeynep.koylu@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This lecture examines how second language development unfolds from early childhood to the “third age,” considering age-related differences in learning processes, opportunities, and outcomes. We review major theories, such as the Critical Period Hypothesis, usage-based and emergentist perspectives, maturational constraints, and cognitive aging, and analyze empirical research on phonological, lexical, and grammatical development across the lifespan. Although the course focuses on English as a second/additional language, the insights apply broadly to age effects and multilingual development in diverse contexts. References: • Muñoz, C. (Ed.). (2006). "Age and the rate of foreign language learning". Multilingual Matters. • Pfenninger, S. E., Festman, J., & Singleton, D. (2023). "Second language acquisition and lifelong learning". Routledge. |
| Learning objectives | By the end of this seminar, students will be able to: 1. Explain major theoretical perspectives on age and second language acquisition. 2. Identify and evaluate how linguistic, cognitive, and socio-affective factors interact with age across childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the third age. 3. Analyze empirical research on phonological, lexical, grammatical, and pragmatic development across different stages of the lifespan. 4. Examine how learning contexts (e.g., immersion, study abroad, classroom instruction, heritage language environments) influence age-related L2 outcomes. 5. Critically discuss issues of ultimate attainment, fossilization, and variability in relation to age and life-experience trajectories. |
| Bibliography | All course readings are accessible on the course platform ADAM. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Course application | Please sign up for this course in https://services.unibas.ch. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 18.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 25.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Wednesday 04.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 11.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 18.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 25.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 01.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 08.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 15.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 22.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 29.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 06.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 13.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 20.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Wednesday 27.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced English Linguistics (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Module: Language as Process (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Module: Research and Extension (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Attendance and active participation Final exam |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, repetition counts |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |