Language, Education and Society (P00373)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : EDU-P-LESLING

This module explores social diversity within languages, and linguistic diversity within societies, and what such diversity entails for language education. Topics covered:

1. Social diversity within a language

2. Multilingualism

3. Choice of a language as medium of instruction and as subject for study

4. Choice of a particular (standard) form of the language for educational purposes

5. The connection to national identity and other forms of identity

6. Language shift and maintenance

7. Language planning for education: the role of government

8. Curriculum design in a multilingual context

9. The spread of English - views pro and con

10. The effect of English on other languages

11. 'Resistance' as a positive force in the EFL classroom

12. The politics of genre and text 13. Linguistic diversity and language testing

14. Multiliteracies

15. Educational bilingualism and its sociolinguistic consequences

16. Code-switching and its educational and sociolinguistic implications.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 20 minutes per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
19/09/2007	10:00	12:00

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Wednesday	10:00	12:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of:
- social diversity within English and within a range of other languages, including their own mother tongue (if other than English)
- multilingualism in their home environment and its educational consequences
- the connections among language choice, standard language and national identity
- the principal issues that arise in language planning, curriculum design for EFL, and language testing, globally and in their home context
- the current situation regarding the global spread of English and how it impacts on education and on the study of other modern languages
- the notion of 'resistance' and what it entails in both educational and textual terms
- the growing importance of 'multiliteracies', in technological, economic and socio-educational terms
- the educational and social implications of code-switching.

Assessment Information

The module will be assessed by a 5000 word project, for which a selection of possible topics will be issued. Each topic will require students to undertake further research on a specific issue, including original empirical observation where appropriate and feasible.