Course: Child Speech: Basic Survey

» List of faculties » FIF » KOL
Course title Child Speech: Basic Survey
Course code KOL/VDJAZ
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
Course content
1) Introduction to the field of study definition of the subject, prominent personalities, literature, basic information resources, databases, specification of Czech research environment 2) Methods for research of child language introduction to basic research paradigm in language acquisition (diary, questionnaire, experiment, etc.), samples of processed data in databases (CHILDES, CDI), introduction to technical means of research (TTR, MLU and other batteries), introduction to principles of empirical research in the field of child language 3) Approaches towards language acquisition diachronic a synchronic introduction to basic theoretical positions in the field of language acquisition (nativism/rationalism/formalism x empiricism and interaction-based approach;?inside out and outside in approaches) their advantages, drawbacks, prominent proponents, samples of research (semantic bootstrapping, competition model) 4) Phonological development of child language - perception basic theories (maturation, universal, attunement, and others), prominent studies (Oller, Irwin, Eimas) and methods of research in the fields of acquisition, production and reception of the acoustic level of language 5) Phonological development of child language - production 6) Lexicon acquisition 1 main topics and approaches to acquisition of lexical-semantic level of language; vocabulary growth phase and the problem of vocabulary burst 7) Lexicon acquisition 2 acquisition of semantic relations and the issue of under- and over-extension, the topic of shared attention, mapping, inborn limitation (Markmann, Bloom) 8) What is a wug: morphology in acquisition universals and specifics in grammar acquisition: distinguishing between the meaning of grammar and word formation, development of morphological categories theoretical concepts and explanations, introduction to wug test 9) What is a wug: word formation in acquisition topics related to acquisition of word formation, typological specifics, E. Clark's theory: principles of transparency, simplicity and productivity, case study acquisition of composites 10) Acquisition of syntax comparison of nativist (Lust) and empiricist (Tomasello) approach, the two-word phase period problem of pivot grammar, illustration on selected categories (passive, auxiliary verbs, development of noun phrase, clause types, conjunctions and sentences) 11) Discourse acquisition acquisition of socio-pragmatic aspects of communication: the problem of attention and perspective, the phase of development of coherent dialogue, alternation of communication roles and language or pragmatic cues, registers and communication routines 12) Literacy: reading acquisition orthography, phonological awareness, structured models of reading (single- and dual-route model), identification, lexical approach, high-level competence, dyslexia, reading with comprehension: inference making, story structure sensitivity, reading predictors 13) More than one language: acquisition and bilingualism infant, child, adolescent and adult acquisition, the interference problem, code mixing and switching, bilingualism and cognitive risks/benefits

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
Learning outcomes
The course is an introduction to the basic topics of study of child language - its acquisition and development. By combining lectures, reading and individual work on selected problems, students will be introduced to key moments in development of child speech and the possibilities of their explanation. The main theories of the field will be introduced as well as experimental techniques and basic discoveries related to mechanisms of acquisition of (first) language. The course is experimentally oriented - the expected output is individual student projects.
Students are able to navigate basic topics, theories and concepts of contemporary experimental psycholinguistics oriented on language acquisition. They understand the principles of experiment construction and possess basic knowledge of its evaluation and interpretation. They are able to propose a meaningful and context-aware project. They have learned to work with experiment-oriented tools (software, testing batteries).
Prerequisites
Having completed the Introduction to Psycholinguistics course is recommended before taking this class. Basic knowledge of English is expected.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam, Systematic Observation of Student, Seminar Work

(1) regular attendance (80 %) (4) active participation in class (3) creation and defence of a project
Recommended literature
  • Altmann, G. T. M., & Turbová, M. (2005). Výstup na babylonskou věž: otázky jazyka, mysli a porozumění. Praha: Triáda.
  • Altmann,G.T.M.: . (2005). Výstup na babylonskou věž. Otázky jazyka, mysli a porozumění.. Praha.
  • Bavin, E. L. (ed.). (2009). The Cambridge Handbook of Child Language. Cambridge.
  • Clark, E. V. (2009). First Language Acquisition. Cambridge.
  • Eyesenck, M. W.-Keane, M. T. (2008). Kognitivní psychologie. Praha.
  • Průcha, J. (2011). Dětská řeč a komunikace: poznatky vývojové psycholingvistiky. Praha: Grada Publishing.
  • Průcha, J. (2011). Dětská řeč a komunikace. Poznatky z vývojové psycholingvistiky. Praha.
  • Smolík, F.:. (2007). Teoretické přístupy k osvojování gramatiky. Hradec Králové.
  • Stilwell Peccei, J. (2006). Child Language. A resource book for students. London-New York.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): General Lingvistics and Theory of Communication (2014) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -