Course: Introduction to English Linguistics I

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Course title Introduction to English Linguistics I
Course code UAN/7ULA1
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Lohrová Helena, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Kozubíková Šandová Jana, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Course Introduction; Linguistics as a Study; Research Areas of Linguistics; Universal Properties of Language. 2. Historical Linguistics. History of English, periods, influences. 3. Semantics I; Basic terminology; Meaning, compositionality. 4. Semantics II + Pragmatics I; Meaning vs context, H.P. Grice, Pragmatic principles, Speech acts. 5. Pragmatics II + Discourse I; Spoken vs written discourse (Introduction) 6. Discourse II; Register, interactional frames; Discourse analysis. 7. Revision, compulsory tutorial I. 8. Child Language Acquisition I; Development; Basic theories (Behaviorism, Nativism,...) 9. Child Language Acquisition II; Social interactionism; Language and the brain. 10. Second Language Acquisition I; Definition, basic questions and theories of SLA. 11. Second Language Acquisition II; Individual differences; SLA and foreign language teaching. 12. Revision, compulsory tutorial II. 13. Final Test

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming)
Learning outcomes
The course provides an introduction to the basic areas of linguistic study with a focus on English. Students are introduced to linguistics as a scientific discipline and gain an overview of its main subfields and the universal properties of human language. The course also presents the historical development of English and the major stages of its evolution. Attention is given to the fundamentals of semantics and pragmatics, including the relationship between meaning and context, Gricean principles of communication, and speech act theory. In the section on discourse, students explore the differences between spoken and written discourse, the concepts of register and interactional frameworks, and basic approaches to discourse analysis. The course further examines first language acquisition and the main theoretical perspectives on language development in children. Finally, students are introduced to key concepts in second language acquisition, including individual differences and the relationship between SLA research and language teaching. The course includes review sessions and a final test assessing students' understanding of the core linguistic concepts. The course follows the syllabus below; however, allows for unavoidable changes, which would be announced in advance.
Throughout the course, students gain awareness of key linguistic concepts, are given an opportunity to read and discuss linguistic theory in English, and learn to take responsibility for their own learning.
Prerequisites
Students will have studied general English to upper- intermediate level (B2 CEFR). In Week 1 of the course, students are provided with a detailed course outline and are guided on essential reading they will need to undertake as part of their coursework.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance assessment

The course ensures students have all the resources necessary in making the transition from grammar/high school to the more rigorous demands of a degree. Students are encouraged to work continuously throughout the course. The requirements for passing the course are: - regular class attendance (max. 3 absences) - active class participation - completion of all assignments (see Moodle for content, deadlines and assessment parameters) - final test (pass mark 65% or higher, one retake) Any act of cheating or plagiarism will result in a fail mark for this course.
Recommended literature
  • Crystal, D. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge: CUP, 2003.
  • Čermák, F. Jazyk a jazykověda. Přehled a slovníky. Praha: Pražská imaginace, 1997.
  • Černý, J. Úvod do studia jazyka. Olomouc: Rubico, 2008.
  • Fasold, R. a Connor-Linton J. (Eds.). An Introduction to Language and Linguistics (2nd ed.). Cambridge: CUP, 2014.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester