DIY Linguistics: An experiment in bridging the gap between language learning, grammar and linguistics

LLAS Workshop: 3rd June 2011 Emmanuelle Labeau

The challenges

1. The British linguistics virgin2. How to open an initiation path to

linguistics?3. How can we bridge the gap between

grammatical theory, language practice and linguistic reflection in the classroom?

The British Linguistics – and Grammar - Virgin

Year 1: intensive grammar programme covering the NP and the VP aiming to bring all students to the required level

Problems: Focus on usage rather than norm but necessity to give easy enough rulesScope of information to take in: the goldfish syndrom

DO IT YOURSELF!

The DIY module: Contemporary French (Year 2)

Aston’s integrated MFL teaching and learning Teaching about the language in the language

Aston’s ‘real world’ experience: Working from contemporary authentic documents

The DIY module: Contemporary French (Year 2)

Contents of the module:Part 1: Background on language change

Guided evolution:Action on status: Legislation on languages of France and beyondAction on corpus: neology, feminisation, spelling reforms

Natural evolution

Part 2: Exploring language change

Exploring Language Change: Quels temps pour parler du temps?

WHY? Complex grammatical point for English speakers

WHAT?Step 1: Theoretical presentation of values and historical evolution of French past tenses supported by quotes from academic papers and authentic examplesStep 2: Guided reading of scientific papersStep 3: Establishment of research questionsStep 4: Testing of hypotheses

HOW?

Exploring Language Change: Step 1

Tasks

Transcription of an extract from a set corpus (commentary of the last leg of the Tour de France 2009, history programmes, biography, news, chat shows…) during part 1

Transferable Skills

Listening skills, linking phonemes and graphemes

Exploring Language Change: Step 2

Tasks

Correction of transcription according to the tutor’s annotations

Transferable Skills

Critical reflection and application of grammatical knowledge from year 1

Exploring Language Change: Step 3

Tasks

Focused examination of data

Transferable Skills

Critical analysis: challenge of grammatical diktats

Exploring Language Change: Step 4

Tasks

Group discussion of results

Transferable Skills

Presentation skills, TL practice, argumentative skills

Exploring Language Change: Step 5

Tasks

Writing up a report integrating theoretical background, findings from own corpus and other sources

Transferable Skills

Writing skills, analytical skills, argumentative skills

Module Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and UnderstandingUnderstanding of mechanisms of language evolution and variation;Study of French in context;Awareness of recent developments in French caused by natural or guided evolution;Introduction to linguistic vs grammatical approach of the language;Basics of linguistic field research.

Cognitive and Analytical SkillsPersonal critic of claims on language evolution through personal and group field research based on authentic contemporary texts;

Challenge of received assumptions on the language through corpus analysis; Transferable SkillsListening comprehension of authentic texts;Development of sound research methodology;Ability to formulate research questions;Analysis of facts based on cumulative research;Ability to work in a team in a cooperative and emulative way;Writing of a well organised research report;

Extra Outcomes

Conference papers:(2006) (with K. Mc Manus) ‘Les tiroirs narratifs du roman policier : sur la piste du PS’, Conférence annuelle de l’AFLS. Bristol, 5-7 September 2006.(2007) ‘Charles, Diana… et Mike’, Conférence annuelle de l’AFLS, Boulogne-sur-Mer, 3-5 September 2007

Publications:(2006) French Television Talk: What tenses for past time?’ International Journal of Corpus Linguistics 11/1: 1-28 (2007) (with T. Holyoak) ‘Le présent suffit-il à faire l’histoire?’, Revue Romane 42/1: 17-32. (2008)'Il y a une éternité, il y a un siècle, il y an un an... A quoi sert le PS dans les discours de voeux?', Congrès Mondial de Linguistique française 1, Paris, July 2008.

Training the next generation of linguists

Mission possible?

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