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77910-01 - Seminar: Life Stories in Second Language Acquisition: Qualitative Inquiries (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Zeynep Köylü (zeynep.koylu@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This BA/MA seminar is an overview of qualitative research methodology and techniques used in SLA. In this seminar we aim to explore second/additional language learning trajectories from a longitudinal perspective. We will review and discuss a variety of research approaches and their theoretical assumptions, along with how certain procedural, technical, and ethical issues are associated with each. Students will have an opportunity to design, conduct, analyze, and report a micro qualitative study focusing on longitudinal learner trajectories. Although the focus is on inquiry into English second language acquisition, the seminar is also designed to be relevant for students working in related disciplines. References: • Barkhuizen, G., Benson, P., & Chik, A. (2024). "Narrative Inquiry in Language Teaching and Learning Research" (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003356394 • Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2024). "Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches" (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. • Henry, A., & MacIntyre, P. D. (2024). Keeping in time: The design of qualitative longitudinal research in SLA. «Research Methods in Applied Linguistics», 3(1), 100102 (Early View). |
| Learning objectives | By the end of this seminar, you will be able to: • Understand and discuss key concepts and principles of qualitative inquiry in Second Language Acquisition (SLA). • Identify and critically reflect on theoretical assumptions underlying different qualitative and longitudinal research approaches in SLA. • Demonstrate familiarity with major research strands examining second/additional language learning trajectories. • Synthesize and critically evaluate literature related to longitudinal and qualitative approaches to L2 development in a written assignment. • Design, conduct, and analyze a small-scale qualitative study investigating learner trajectories over time, addressing procedural, technical, and ethical considerations. |
| Bibliography | All course readings are accessible on the course platform ADAM. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | This course is open to students of English who have passed all three BA introductory modules (including the proseminar papers) and to MA students of English and MSG Sprache und Kommunikation. |
| Course application | Please register for this course on services unibas. In order to ensure a good learning environment, we aim at no more than 20 students per linguistics seminar. We ask you to sign up for classes via the ADAM registration surveys, which will open on 1 January, 2026, 10am (CET) and close on 22 February, 2026, 2pm (CET): https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_crs_1623802.html **Please only register for a maximum of TWO seminars and only for more than one if you really intend to take both courses.** Should you have not made it into one of the courses and you are only able to register on the list in a position higher than 20, we guarantee that we will take you in the course with the least student numbers. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 19.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 26.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Thursday 05.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 12.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 19.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 26.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 02.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Ostern |
| Thursday 09.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 16.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 23.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 30.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 07.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 14.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Auffahrt |
| Thursday 21.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 28.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced English Linguistics (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Module: Language and Society (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Module: Research and Extension (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Attendance and active participation Data analysis assignment (working in pairs or small groups) Research report (working in pairs or small groups) on life stories in SLA (i.e., language learning trajectories). |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| 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 |