Sociolinguistique et multilinguisme

• Definitions, typologies and methods
• History of the neuropsychology of bilingualism
• Lexical and conceptual organization in bilinguals
• Bilingualism and development
• The impact of bilingualism on cognitive functioning (in particular on executive functioning and numerical cognition) 
• Impact of bilingualism on structural and functional brain processing (language and cognition)
• Impact of linguistic immersion on cognitive and language functioning
• Developmental disorders and bilingualism
• Sociolinguistics

After a completed course, the student will be able to:

• Describe and discuss different competing theories about language acquisition and processing in bilinguals

• Describe the relevant factors that influence second language acquisition

• Describe and discuss research methods of bilingualism

• Describe issues related to measuring and defining bilingualism

• Respond on the basis of scientific arguments to neuromyths associated with bilingualism

• Describe and critically discuss some of the evidence concerning the potential link between bilingualism and cognitive functioning

Lecture given by Gaétane DELIENS with occasional participation of external speakers. Participatory method (eg: wooclap, Buzz group).

Contribution to the teaching profile

• Identify the issues structuring a specific debate
• Identify the epistemological paradigm and theoretical framework used in research
• Argue a search result from the method used
• Analyze societal issues in the light of theoretical knowledge
• Identify approaches, methods, analysis and intervention tools for a speech therapy assessment

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Recommended reading:

• Schwieter, J. W. (Ed.). (2020). The Cambridge handbook of bilingual processing. CambridgeUniversity Press.
• Mesthrie, R. (Ed.). (2018). The Cambridge handbook of sociolinguistics. CambridgeUniversity Press.

Course notes

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Contact with the professor regarding the course should preferably take place during class (during the break or immediately after class) or, if necessary, by appointment (Gaetane.Deliens@ulb.be).

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• written examination

written examination

Written exam consisting of multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer (MCQs). The questions target not only the knowledge of the subject matter but also the student's ability to interpret graphical representations and experimental results, as well as to critique a study based on concepts covered in the course. Answering the multiple-choice exam questions requires precise study and a thorough understanding of the material.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

The grade is based on the result of the written exam (/20). For the MCQ grading, we will not use negative marking but will apply the 'standard setting' method. This approach counteracts the effects of chance by increasing the number of correct answers required to pass: the student must correctly answer more than half of the questions (12 out of 20) to pass the test. More information is available at this link: https://www.ugent.be/student/en/class-exam-exchange-intern/class-exam/education-examination-code/multiplechoice.htm

Language(s) of evaluation

• french