2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Social and Human Sciences Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
Graduate Lecture in Cognition, Mathematics and Information S1B
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Reiko Sato
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Tue (W9-323(W932))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- SHS.M442
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course aims to provide basic knowledge of second language acquisition (SLA) and language learning. Students will learn the concept definition of second language acquisition, language aptitude, individual factors of learners, motivation theory in learning, the method of SLA, and evaluation of learning outcomes by using Japanese language education method. Students will gain the concept of SLA through lectures, reading, discussions, group work and problem solving exercises in class. This course will also provide an opportunity to look back on each individual’s foreign language learning experience and consider an effective way of language learning.
Course description and aims
By completing this course, students will acquire the following abilities:
1) Understand and articulate the fundamental concepts of second language acquisition and describe its methods.
2) Develop and apply methods for conducting research and evaluation related to second language acquisition.
Keywords
Japanese language education, second language acquisition (SLA), learning method, language aptitude, memory, motivation, language learning, evaluation
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
In this lecture, students will learn about second language acquisition through lectures, discussions, and exercises. In the latter half of the course, students will develop and carry out a research plan related to second language acquisition.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Language Aptitude | Analyze the relation between language acquisition and age factor, social factors, learning style based on your own learning experience. |
| Class 2 | The Mechanisms of SLA: Perception and Memory 1 | Understanding the Mechanisms of SLA from the perspective of memory theory |
| Class 3 | The Mechanisms of Second Language Acquisition: Perception and Memory 2 | Understanding the Mechanisms of SLA from the perspective of memory theory |
| Class 4 | Second Language Learning and Motivation | Understand research on second language learning and language memory, and develop plans for experimental research |
| Class 5 | Conducting Research | Plan and prepare for conducting experiments. |
| Class 6 | Analysis and Evaluation of Research Results | Develop methods for analyzing and evaluating experimental results. |
| Class 7 | Presentation and discussion | Understand how to deliver a persuasive presentation of experimental design and results. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None required. Course materials will be provided during the class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None required.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Assessment will be based on 1) assignment after class 30%, 2) experimental design survey plan 20%, and 3) final presentation 50%.
Related courses
- SHS.M443 ： Graduate Lecture in Cognition, Mathematics and Information F1A
- SHS.M444 ： Graduate Lecture in Cognition, Mathematics and Information F1B
- SHS.M461 ： Graduate Methodologies in Cognition, Mathematics and Information S1
- SHS.M462 ： Graduate Methodologies in Cognition, Mathematics and Information F1
Prerequisites
None required.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Reiko Saito, rsato[at]ila.isct.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.