SFE42410 Linquistic Variation: English (Autumn 2015)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Compulsory course in the Master Programme in Foreign Languages in the Classroom.

Lecture Semester

Semester 3 (autumn)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge
The students have knowledge of linguistic variation in general and of linguistic variation in the target-land areas in particular, and master the system of concepts needed to describe these.
They are familiar with different approaches to working on linguistic variation in language learning and have gained an understanding of what position aspects of linguistic various can have in language education at different levels, particularly in terms of the linguistic reality in the target-language areas.

Skills
The students can draw on their knowledge of linguistic variation in such a way that they can develop, present and implement a sound academically grounded teaching plan focused on different aspects of linguistic variation and can integrate this in a natural way with their language teaching activities.

General competence
The students have acquired methods of collaborating on the acquisition and presentation of academic and didactic knowledge and on how to use such a basis in practice.

Content

The course covers linguistic variation in general and linguistic variation in the target-language areas in particular, and how to work on aspects of these in language teaching.
The topics of standard language, geographical and social variation are also discussed, as well as different aspects of multilinguism.

Forms of teaching and learning

The course is web-based, with a physical seminar at the start of the semester.

Workload

Approx. 280 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

None.

Examination

Process Assessment

An individual assessment is conducted on the basis of contributions towards developing written presentations, learning resources, etc. (for example, through co-writing) and activities related to these on social websites (discussions, blogs).

Grading scale from A to F.

Course evaluation

The students are given the opportunity to continuously evaluate the course on social websites. In addition, a written evaluation is conducted at the end of the semester.

Literature

Updated April 25th 2014

Recommended literature:

General
Theil, Rolf: Språkvariasjon. I: Kristoffersen, Kristian Emil/Simonsen, Hanne Gram/Sveen, Andreas (red.): Språk. En grunnbok. Oslo. S. 464-501.

O'Donnell, W.R. & L. Todd (1991). Variety in Contemporary English, London & New York: Routledge.

English
Bauer, L. (2002). An Introduction to International Varieties of English, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Beal, J. C. (2006). Language and Region, London & New York: Routledge.

Gimson, A. C. (2001). Gimson's Pronunciation of English, 6th ed. London: Edward Arnold.

O'Donnell, W.R. & L. Todd (1991). Variety in Contemporary English, London & New York:Routledge.

Ronowicz, E. & C. Yallop (eds.) (1999). English: one language, different cultures, London & New York: Cassell.

Trudgill, P. (1994). Dialects, London & New York: Routledge.

Trudgill, P. (2000). The dialects of England, 2nd ed, Oxford, UK: Blackwell.

Wolfram, W. & N. Schilling-Estes (2006). American English, 2nd ed, Malden, Mass.:
Blackwell.

Links to linguistic variation in English:

http://ewave-atlas.org/
http://ic-migration.webhost.uits.arizona.edu/icfiles/ic/lsp/site/
https://www.uni-due.de/SVE/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UgpfSp2t6k