APLNG 597F: Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Learning

Spring, 2004, R 4:40-7:20, 319 Willard | Jim Lantolf and Steve Thorne | The Pennsylvania State University

http://language.la.psu.edu/aplng597f/

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Required texts:
Lantolf, J. P. (ed.) (2000). Sociocultural theory and second language learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Block, D. (2003). The social turn in second language acquisition. Washington, DC.: Georgetown University Press.

In addition to the above texts, we will provide a select bibliography on SCT and L2 learning. We will select several pieces from this bibliography to supplement the required texts. In addition, we will furnish participants with draft copies of the chapters of our book (Sociogenesis of Second Language Development. Oxford University Press) currently in progress. We ask that you not circulate these copies and keep them for personal use only. We are still in the process of making revisions. We will very much welcome your comments and feedback on the content of the chapters.

Description: The focus of the seminar is on the extension of sociocultural theory to the study of second and foreign language acquisition and teaching. We will first discuss the general theoretical framework of mediated mind as developed by L. S. Vygotsky nearly a century ago. We then focus most of our attention on the growing body of research on L2 learning and teaching informed by this important theory of mind and human development. Topics to be covered include the following: a brief history of cultural psychology; mind as a mediated cultural construct; activity theory; the genetic method; internalization and appropriation; the zone of proximal development; inner and private speech (including gesture); collaborative learning, prolepsis, and scaffolding; the role of artifacts and social relationships in development; interface between sociocultural research and language pedagogy; language testing from a sociocultural perspective; regulation in a first and other languages; cognition in a first and other languages; identity in a first and other languages; the relationship and contribution of SCT to other theories of SLA. This is an ambitious description and we suspect that we are not likely to cover all of the topics, at least not in the depth they deserve. Although we will present you with a calendar of topics and readings, we reserve the right to modify this as needed.

Requirements:

1. Completion of all assigned readings and active participation in seminar discussions
2. Following the introductory discussions, students will be required to prepare a presentation based on a set of readings on a given topic each week. Keeping with the spirit of sociocultural theory, these are to be done in a collaborative format working in groups of two or three. Each group will be responsible for preparing a different set of readings on a given topic. We will explain the details of how we will proceed in class.
3. Students are required to submit two seminar papers:
   • 6-10 page (double-spaced) critical analysis of one of the books included in the general bibliography. These may be done individually or in a group format. The due date for this paper is April 4th. This should be similar to a book review (not a book report) that one could submit to a journal for publication.
   • A research paper of approximately 25 double-spaced pages, excluding references. This may be done individually or collaboratively. Topics are open but the professors will offer several suggestions that may be of interest. You should feel free to discuss your interests with us at any time. If you haven’t completed the on-line quiz required by the Penn State Office of Research Control (ORC), please do so as soon as possible. This will be necessary if you plan to undertake any empirical research involving human participants. You will also need to submit for approval of the ORC a plan for your study, including consent forms to be signed by the participants. In all cases, the papers will be assessed according to criteria that are normally used by the important journals in applied linguistics. The research paper is to be submitted no later than April 25th, 2004.

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   Course Links for APLNG 597f, Spring 2004

   APLNG 597f Syllabus | Theory Links | SCT L2 Select Bibliography

   Comments or Questions? Contact Jim Lantolf or Steve Thorne, The Pennsylvania State University