Entry requirements

30 credits in a language subject.

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide basic theoretical and methodological knowledge in the field of bilingualism.

For the grade Pass, after completing the course the student should be able to

• describe basic concepts and theories in bilingualism research
• describe some typical features of the development of simultaneous and successive bilingualism, indicating how such development may differ
• describe characteristic features of bilingual communication, focusing on code-switching and crosslinguistic influence
• critically reflect on concepts in the current debate in society about bilingualism and language learning
• explain the relationship between bilingual development and different language environments.

Content

Multilingualism in society. Development of bilingualism across different ages Simultaneous and successive bilingualism. Bilingualism in pre-school and school. Language loss and language attrition. The debate on 'semilingualism'. Bilingual communication, code-switching and crosslinguistic influence.

Instruction

Teaching includes seminars, lectures, exercises and assessment. The student's own learning activities are of crucial importance for the work on this course.

Assessment

The course has three examinatory components:

1. active particpipation in the seminar discussions and exercise sessions (grading scale U/G/VG)
2. a short written test (dugga) (grading scale U/G/VG)
3. presentation of a project where the topic is chosen in consultation with the teacher and where the presentation is done by oral presentation to the group at the last teaching session (grading scale U/G/VG)

Regulations for the project are available at the beginning of the course.

For the grade G, a G is required on all examinatory components. For the grade VG on the course, VG is required on at least two of the components.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other regulations

The course may not be included in the degree as a freestanding course if the corresponding part has been studied in another course included in the degree.