APLNG
584
Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Learning
Fall 2005: Wednesdays, 11:15-2:15
Leonhard 202
Instructor: Steve Thorne (305 Sparks; sthorne@psu.edu)
Office hours by appointment
Course
Reading List and Themes
Required
texts and readings:
- Lantolf, J.
P. (ed.) 2000. Sociocultural theory and second language learning. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
- Lantolf, J.
P., & Thorne, S. L. (forthcoming January 2006). Sociocultural theory and
the sociogenesis of second language development. New York: Oxford University
Press. [PDF]
- Articles and
other readings: We will utilize both traditional reading packet (to be available
at the UPS Store, (237-2552), located in the Hamilton Shopping Center off
South Atherton (5 or 6 blocks south of campus), and readings that are available
on the web (linked directly off the on-line syllabus).
WEEK 1: 8/31
Introduction to course; key elements of cultural historical activity theory
(CHAT)/sociocultural theory (SCT)
WEEK 2: 9/7
Intellectual lineages of CHAT/SCT; development of modern CHAT; discussion of
linguistics of communicative activity
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 1, Introduction (PDF)
- Lantolf, J.
P. 2000a. Introducing sociocultural theory. In J. P. Lantolf (Ed.) Sociocultural
theory and second language learning. Oxford: OUP.
WEEK 3:
9/14
Linguistics of communicative activity (redux); genetic method; Vygotskian semiotics
and L2 learning; SCT and relativity
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 2, The Genetic Method (PDF)
- Kramsch, C.
2000. Social discourse constructions of self in L2 learning. In J. P. Lantolf
(Ed.), Sociocultural theory and second language learning. Oxford: OUP.
- Thorne, S.
L. 2000b. Second language acquisition theory and the truth(s) about relativity.
In J. P. Lantolf (Ed.), Sociocultural theory and second language learning.
Oxford: OUP.
- van Lier, L.
2002. An ecological-semiotic perspective on language and linguistics. In C.
Kramsch (ed.), Language Acquisition and Language Socialization: Ecological
Perspectives (p. 140-164). London: Continuum Press.
WEEK 4:
9/21
Primary sources: Essential Vygotsky readings on tool and sign (*Jim Lantolf,
guest facilitator; Steve at ISCAR)
- Vygotsky, L.
S. 1999. The Collected Works. Volume 6. Scientific Legacy. New York: Plenum.
'Tool and Sign in the Development of the Child,' chapters 1-5 (pp. 3-68).
WEEK 5:
9/28
Mediation and its role in L2 development; inner speech,
private speech, gesture; report from ISCAR (Steve)
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 3: Mediation
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 4: Symbolic mediation and L2 learners, 1: inner
speech, private speech, and gesture
WEEK 6:
10/5
Symbolic mediation; language and mind; cognitive linguistics; distributed
cognition
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 5: Symbolic mediation and L2 learners, 2: metaphor,
lexis, and narratives.
- Levinson, S.
2003. 'Language and mind: Let's get the issues straight!' in D. Gentner &
S. Goldin-Meadow (eds.), Language in Mind (p. 25-46). Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press.
- Tomasello,
M. 2003. 'The key is social cognition' in D. Gentner & S. Goldin-Meadow
(eds.), Language in Mind (p. 47-57). Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
- Cole, M., &
Engeström, Y. 1993. A cultural-historical approach to distributed cognition.
In G. Solomon (ed.), Distributed Cognition (p. 1-46). Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Recommended Readings:
- Pavlenko, A.
& J. P. Lantolf. 2000. Second language learning as participation and the
(re)construction of selves. In J. P. Lantolf (Ed.) Sociocultural theory and
second language learning. Oxford: OUP.
WEEK 7:
10/12
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 10, The Zone of Proximal Development (PDF)
- Stetsenko,
A. P. 1999. ‘Social interaction, cultural tools and the zone of proximal
development: in search of a synthesis’ in S. Chaiklin, M. Hedegaard,
and U. J. Jensen (eds.). Activity Theory and Social Practice: Cultural Historical
Approaches (p. 235-252). Aarhus: Aarhus University Press.
Recommended Readings:
- Kinginger,
C. 2002. ‘Defining the zone of proximal development in US foreign language
education’. Applied Linguistics 23: 240–61.
- Chaiklin, S.
2003. ‘The zone of proximal development in Vygotsky’s analysis
of learning and instruction’ in A. Kozulin, B. Gindis, V. Ageyev, and
S. Miller (eds.). Vygotsky’s Educational Theory in Cultural Context.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Ohta, A. S.
2000. Re-thinking interaction in SLA: Developmentally appropriate assistance
in the Zone of proximal development and the acquisition of L2 grammar. In
J. P. Lantolf (Ed.), Sociocultural theory and second language learning. Oxford:
OUP.
- Dunn, W. &
J. P. Lantolf. 1998. i + 1 and the ZPD: Incommensurable constructs; incommensurable
theories. discourses. Language Learning 48: 411-442.
- Aljaafreh,
A. & J. P. Lantolf. 1994. Negative feedback as regulation and second language
learning in the Zone of Proximal Development. The Modern Language Journal,
78/4, 465-483.
WEEK 8:
10/19
Vygotsky's conception of pschological development; internalization; imitation;
usage-based approaches to language development
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 6: Internalization, 1: theoretical framework
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 7: 7 Internalization, 2: L2 development
- Ratner, C.
2004. Vygotsky's Conception of Psychological Development. In R. Rieber &
D. Robinson (Eds.), The Essential Vygotsky (pp. 401-413). NY: Kluwer/Plenum.
Paper available online.
Recommended Readings:
- Tomasello,
M. (2003). Chapters 8 and 9 (p. 282-328). In Constructing a language: A usage-based
theory of language acquisition. Harvard University Press: Cambridge.
WEEK 9: 10/26
Activity theory and L2 learning
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 8: Activity theory, 1: theoretical framework
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 9: Activity theory, 2: L2 development
- Ratner, C.
1999. Three approaches to cultural psychology: A critique. Cultural Dynamics,
1999, 11, 7-31. Draft
available online.
Recommended Readings:
- Thorne, S.
L. 2000. Beyond bounded activity systems: Heterogeneous cultures in instructional
uses of persistent conversation. The proceedings of the thirty-third Hawaii
International Conference on Systems Science. New York: IEEE Press. Draft
available online.
- Lantolf, J.
P. & P. Genung. 2002. ‘I’d rather switch than fight’:
An activity theoretic study of power, success and failure in a foreign language
classroom. Language Acquisition and Language Socialization: Ecological Perspectives.
Ed. by C. Kramsch. London: Continuum Press.
- Coughlan,
P. & P. A. Duff. 1994. Same task, different activities: Analysis of a
SLA task from an activity theory perspective. In Lantolf & Appel, 1994.
173-194.
- Lantolf, J.
P. and A. Pavlenko. 2001. (S)econd (L)anguage (A)activity. Understanding second
language learners as people. In M. Breen (ed.) Learner contributions to language
learning: New directions in research. London: Longman.
WEEK 10:
11/2
SCT pedagogy: systemic-theoretical instruction and dynamic assessment
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 11: Pedagogy, 1: systemic-theoretical instruction
- Lantolf and
Thorne, in press: Chapter 12: Pedagogy, 2: dynamic assessment
Recommended Readings:
- Thorne, S.
2003. Artifacts and cultures-of-use in intercultural communication . Language
Learning & Technology 7/2: 38-67.
- Thorne, S.
L. 2004. 'Cultural historical activity theory and the object of innovatio'
in Oliver St. John, Kees van Esch, & Eus Schalkwijk (eds). New Insights
into Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Peter Lang Verlag, Frankfurt.(Germany).
WEEK 11: 11/9
Perspectives on activity and L2 development
- Thorne, S.
L. 2005. Epistemology, politics, and ethics in sociocultural theory. The Modern
Language Journal, 89: 393-409. PDF
file
- Swain, M. 2000.
The output hypothesis and beyond: Mediating acquisition through collaborative
dialogue. In J. P. Lantolf (Ed.) Sociocultural theory and second language
learning. Oxford: OUP.
Recommended Readings:
- Verity, D.
P. 2000. Side affects: The strategic development of professional satisfaction.
In J. P. Lantolf (Ed.) Sociocultural theory and second language learning.
Oxford: OUP.
WEEK 12: 11/16
CHAT/SCT and other theories; Halliday; ecological linguistics; Bernstein
- Wells, G. (1999).
Chapter 1: The complementary contributions of Halliday and Vygotsky to a “Language-based
theory of learning” in Dialogic inquiry: Toward a sociocultural practice
and theory of education (p. 3-50). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.
PDF
file
- van Lier, L.
2000. From input to affordance: Social-interactive learning from an ecological
perspective. In J. P. Lantolf (Ed.), Sociocultural theory and second languae
learning. Oxford: OUP.
Recommended Readings:
- Halliday, M.
A. K. (1993). Towards a language-based theory of learning. Linguistics and
Education, 5(2), 93-116. PDF
file
- Hasan R. (manuscript)
Semiotic mediation, language and society: three exotropic theories -Vygotsky,
Halliday and Bernstein. PDF
file
- Bernstein, B. (1999).
Vertical and Horizontal Discourse: an essay. British Journal of Sociology
of Education, 20(2), 157-74. PDF
file
WEEK 13: 11/30
Project presentations and discussion
Recommended Readings:
- Lantolf, J.
P. & Thorne, S. L. (forthcoming). Sociocultural Theory and Second Language
Acquisition. In. B. van Patten & J. Williams (eds.), Explaining Second
Language Acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
WEEK 14: 12/7
Project presentations and discussion; course wrap-up
APLNG
584: Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Learning Coures Links
Description
and Course Requirement | SCT L2
Select Bibliography | Theory
Links
Comments
or Questions? Contact Steve Thorne | The
Pennsylvania State University