The first unit which covers in 12 online sections the theories of language learning, takes course participants on a tour of the main theories of language learning from the the behaviourist ideas of Skinner with their consequences for language learning and classroom practice through their antithesis in Chomsky and his Universal grammar. Though this explained some of the similarities in languages, it was later thinkers who shed a light on how people acquire second or additional languages and some of these theories round off this part of the course. 

The second unit, embracing language awareness looks at some of the important elements that must be understood and explored by course participants both for their own self development and to enable them to integrate these into their teaching. These include features of lexis, narrative, verb forms, concept checking, noun phrases, functional language and discourse analysis with its importance in the coding and decoding of relationships intentions and attitudes. 

The third unit which takes the form of one six-hour session in presence concludes this cycle with a treatment of the language learning process, with particular emphasis on Stephen Krashen’s work on the concepts of language learning and language acquisition looks at our understanding of the factors and mechanisms at play when we learn a second or additional language. With consideration of such phenomena as affective filters and the role of L1 interference learners progress towards proficiency via Interlanguage. Recent studies have helped clarify and quantify the gap between conversational proficiency or BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) and the acquisition of the altogether more sophisticated reading, writing and reasoning skills involved in academic performance - CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency).

This course is the first of the third Module of the Master in “Didactic innovation and CLIL” organized by the University of Foggia for the academic year. 2017/2018.