LA&S 720: Introduction to Language Teaching Research

• How can second language acquisition theory and research inform language pedagogy?
• Does our teaching accord with how learners learn?
• How can instruction best ensure successful language learning?
• Can research findings help solve persistent pedagogical problems?
• What teaching methods and activities work better than others?

LA&S 720 is an interdisciplinary course that covers these and related topics while examining language pedagogy through the lens of instructed second language acquisition research with the focus on higher education contexts. Graduate students at all levels and in any area of specialization related to second language teaching and learning may enroll in this course. Students will become familiar with the major concepts, research directions and results, as well as journals and bibliographic sources relevant to language teaching research. As the capstone assignment, students will write their own research proposal for exploring a particular issue in language teaching research.

This course is required for the graduate certificate in Second Language Studies. To enroll and with questions, please contact Dr. Vyatkina at vyatkina@ku.edu.