| CODE | ENG5027 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Bilingualism | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | English | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | It is virtually impossible to locate a country in the world where there are only monolingual speakers. In truth, bilingualism is present in every country in the world. However, there are relatively only a few countries which are officially bilingual. This study-unit addresses sociolinguistic and societal aspects of bilingualism. It surveys and critiques the different definitions of bilingualism and the paths to becoming a balanced bilingual. It further examines the linguistic behavior of bilingual speakers in different domains and with different interlocutors. Particular emphasis is paid on the chasm there lies between de jure and de facto bilingualism. This study-unit also discusses how language attitudes reflect the status of the languages within the community. Other topics discussed include aspects of code-switching, language policy and bilingual education programmes available in North America and European countries. Study-unit Aims (i) To familiarise students with the different definitions and critiques of bilingualism. (ii) To explore the ways in which language attitudes affect language learning and language use. (iii) To help students understand the basic concepts of bilingual education. (iv) To familiarise students with some of the effects of societal and cultural norms towards code-switching. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (i) Appreciate and evaluate the language options available to bilingual speakers. (ii) Identify their use of intersentential and intrasentential code-switching. (iii) Analytically evaluate bilingual language use. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (i) Apply theories of language attitudes to the teaching of languages in Malta. (ii) Develop self-evaluation and analytical thought. (iii) Appraise bilingual programmes in schools in North American and Europe. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Auer, Peter (ed). 1998. Code-switching in conversation : language, interaction and identity. London: Routledge. - Baker, Colin. 1998. Encyclopedia of bilingualism and bilingual education. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - Baker, Colin. 1988. Key issues in bilingualism and bilingual education. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - Baker, Colin. 2006. Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - Bhatia, Tej K. (ed.). 2004. The handbook of bilingualism. Oxford: Blackwell. - Caldas, Stephen J. 2006. Raising bilingual-biliterate children in monolingual cultures. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - Hadi-Tabassum, Samina. 2006. Language, space and power: a critical look at bilingual education. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - McCardle, Peggy (ed.). 2006. Childhood bilingualism: research on infancy through school age. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - Myers-Scotton, Carol. 2006. Multiple voices: an introduction to bilingualism. Oxford: Blackwell. - Romaine, Suzanne. 1995. Bilingualism. Oxford: Blackwell. - Baetens Beardsmore, Hugo. 1991. Bilingualism: basic principles. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - Bialystok, Ellen. (ed.). 1991. by Language processing in bilingual children. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Cummins, Jim. 2000. Language, power and pedagogy: bilingual children in the crossfire. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. - Ellul, Sonia. 1978. A case study in bilingualism : code-switching between parents and their pre-school children in Malta. Cambridge: Huntington. - Hamers, Josiane F. 2000. Bilinguality and bilingualism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Harding-Esch, Edith. 2003. The bilingual family : a handbook for parents. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Lanza, Elizabeth. 2004. Language mixing in infant bilingualism: sociolinguistic perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Pavlenko, Aneta. (ed.). 2006. Bilingual minds: emotional experience, expression and representation. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. - Wei, Li. (ed.). 2000. The bilingualism reader. London: Routledge. - Woolard, Kathryn A. 1989. Double talk: bilingualism and the politics of ethnicity in Catalonia. California: Stanford University Press. Note: All texts are available through the library or as part of the lecturer's resources. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: BA(Hons) or BA General in English, or equivalent | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Lydia Sciriha |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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