Stephen van Vlack
Sookmyung Women`s University
Graduate School of TESOL
Second Language Learning Theories
Spring 2007
Winter Reading Project
Singleton, D. and L. Ryan. (2004). Language acquisition: The age factor (2nd Edition). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. ISBN: 1853597570
For this winter reading project you are expected to read Singleton and Ryan (2004) in its entirety. This book provides a strong and comprehensive theoretical overview of the critical period hypothesis from a variety of different angles. As such it serves well as a research resource due to its massive collection of relevant references as well as the ideas it will hopefully generate. Since so many people have been exposed to this theory in a cursory way and this theory (The CPH) is held and used widely in the Korean context it seems a fitting place to begin our wider exploration into SLA theories and their connection to classroom practices.
After reading this rather dense book (I suggest you skim this book at least at first) I want students to write up a short reaction paper of no more than 4 pages (A4, double spaced). Focus on the aspects of the book which are particularly meaningful or surprising to you. Basically I want you to explain in brief what kind of new knowledge you have gotten out of this winter reading text and this means focussing on limited aspects of the text. Do not summarize. Focus on just one or two aspects of the text which have been the most interesting or surprising to you. Feel free to include small quotes from the text. You must cite the text where appropriate.
This is due the second week of class on March 15th.
Please feel free to bug me if you have any questions.....