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Plymouth State University
MSC 11
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264-1595
Language and Linguistics Course Descriptions
For a full list of graduate course descriptions, go to our course descriptions page.
FR 5910 French Independent Study - 1-3 credits
A course of study to round out the student's background through systematic reading, intensive and extensive, to supplement course work in the field. Selection of a reading list or a special project under faculty supervision. Consent of an appropriate faculty supervisor, department chair and Associate Vice President is required.
LL 5003 Language Acquisition - 3 credits
This course will examine the nature of first and second language acquisition and development. Topics include first language acquisition, second language acquisition by children and adults, bilingualism, and their applications to language teaching. The course provides an overview of current theories of language acquisition.
LL 5004 Language and Linguistics - 3 credits
Provides prospective language teachers with an introduction to the study of language. Principal topics include sociolinguistic theories, language variation, and pragmatics; and the classroom implications of phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax.
LL 5005 Foundations of TESOL Methodology - 3 credits
Participants learn the foundations of communicative language teaching to non-native speakers in multicultural and homogenous classrooms. Topics include content-based instruction, teaching of the four skills, curriculum development, and lesson planning and execution. Participants acquire and practice the skills needed to teach language to students of all ages and abilities.
LL 5006 Language Evaluation and Assessment - 3 credits
Participants in this course explore different approaches for creating, evaluating, and scoring both formal and informal language assessment measures for students of different ages and ability levels. Topics include authentic communicative assessment measures; portfolio assessment, standardized testing, test biases and testing different skills. This course foregrounds authentic and useful classroom language assessment measures.
LL 5007 ESOL Literacy - 3 credits
Participants in this course examine the theories and practice of second language reading and writing acquisition. Topics include developing literate behaviors, decoding, guided reading, shared reading and writing, and the writing process. The focus of the course is to develop participants' proficiency in teaching reading and writing to students of different ages and ability levels through phonics, whole language, and integrated approaches.
LL 5008 Advanced Topics in Language Teaching Methodology - 3 credits
This course provides in-depth examination of widely-used, evidence-based techniques for teaching non-native speakers of English. Students gain both a theoretical grounding and hands-on experience with scaffolding content for language learners, the use of technology in the language classroom, and developing learner strategies. This course includes instruction in using CALLA, the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach, and SIOP, Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol with English language learners.
LL 5009 Intercultural Communication in Multicultural Classrooms - 3 credits
This course examines the importance of cultural perspectives in language education for non-native speakers. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of acculturation on academic success, and programmatic alternatives and pedagogy for English language learners in a pluralistic society. The course explores the impact of cultural backgrounds of language-minority children and their families, and their adjustment to a new society, on language acquisition and school achievement.
LL 5010 Practicum in TESOL - 6 credits
This practicum serves as field experience for ESOL certification candidates and for students taking a self-designed MEd with a concentration in TESOL but without K–12 certification. A candidate seeking ESOL teacher certification must do the practicum in a New Hampshire public school; a candidate not seeking ESOL teacher certification can do the practicum in any approved setting. Commitment includes regular meetings with the course instructor and the development of a professional portfolio that fulfils all NH required teacher competencies. Supervision will be done jointly by the cooperating institution and Plymouth State University faculty. Permission of instructor is required.
LL 5170 Foreign Language Methodology K-12 - 3 credits
This course will introduce students to the theories underlying current pedagogical approaches to foreign language instruction; to assist the student in collecting, creating and adapting instructional materials appropriate to elementary, middle and senior high school foreign language courses; to assist the student in preparing and implementing individual lesson plans, long-range planning, student assessment, text book evaluation and the use of technology; to prepare the student for a successful student teaching experience.
LL 5910 Independent Study - 1-3 credits
Advanced work in a specialized area, selected and pursued in consultation with a faculty advisor. Consent of a faculty supervisor, department chair or program coordinator, and the Associate Vice President is required.
SP 5910 Independent Study - 1-3 credits
A course of study to round out the students' background through systematic reading, intensive and extensive, to supplement course work in the field. Selection of a reading list or a special project under faculty supervision. Consent of an appropriate faculty supervisor, department chair and the Associate Vice President is required.
