First And Second Language Development

Course Title: First and Second Language Development and Structure for the Classroom Teacher



Contact Information: profjsilva@sbcglobal.net, (925)429-2515 (home)
Erica O'Donnell Course Manager
erica.odonnell@laureate-inc.comBlackboard Technical Support:
http://support.blackboard.com/bin/common/ticket_new_oln.pl
Office Hours: The Blackboard Technical Support is available 24 hours aday, 7 days a week.

Course Description:

This CLAD course provides a survey of theories and models of first and second language development and acquisition. The course will cover affective as well as cognitive factors of language acquisition. Psychological, sociological, political, and pedagogical factors contributing to second language development and acquisition will also be investigatedand discussed. This course is one of four courses that will contribute towards satisfying the requirement for the CLAD requirement, or the one of four courses that can also help prepare teachers for taking the CLAD exam leading to the CLAD certificate.

 Goals & Objectives:

Demonstrate an awareness of current research on teaching English as a second language learners
 Displayan awareness of the socio-cultural, pedagogical, and political factors affecting first and second language development
 Develop your own philosophy of language teaching which incorporates second language acquisition theory
 Explore and evaluate models for learning and teaching English language learners (ELLs)
 Apply theory and research to instructional practicesDescription of Course Methodology:

Participants will engage with the subject matter by first reading the weekly online text-based “lectures” posted by the instructor, as well as, outside required readings, and related web resources. Students will interact with fellow classmates and the instructor through weekly discussion sessions conducted through a threaded messaging system. Each week, studentswill complete assignments that involve applying the concepts from that week to their teaching situation. The activities are mostly individual projects, though some group work may be assigned.

Texts and Materials: The Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development Handbook: A Complete
K-12 Reference Guide, 2 ed. by Lynne T. Diaz-Rico and Kathryn Z. Weed
ISBN: 020533685X (2001)E-book: A Balanced Approach: A Model of Second Language Acquisition (Found at the Course Information Area)


Note: You can purchase your copy of the textbook directly from the web link found on your “Personal Start” page.

Geography of this Course:

You will find below a description of the main navigation buttons found on the first page of this course.

Announcements: I will postimportant announcements pertaining to the course here.

Course Information: You will access here the course syllabus, the course schedule, and instructions on how to submit the course assignments.

Staff Information: You will find information on how to contact your instructor and the course manager.

Course Documents: In this area you will find folders containing weekly overviews, lessons, andlinks for the Internet articles.

Assignments: You will access in this section folders containing weekly assignments and quizzes.

Communication: This feature contains four buttons:

a) Send e-mail: to send e-mail to all your classmates and to your instructor.

b) Discussion Board: Here, you will find the weekly discussion threads.

c) Virtual Classroom: Allows students toengage in live conversation with your instructor and peers.

d) Group Pages: this area contains features that allow us to work in groups; however, we will not use this feature because there will not be any group assignments.

e) Student Tools: In this location, you will find the Check grade feature that allows you to access your grades. The student Digital Drop Box button permits you to...