Psychology of Language and Japanese Language Acquisition

NISHIGUCHI, Koichi (Center for International Education and Exchange)

Course Objective
   The objectives of this course is two fold. One is to understand Bakhtinian perspectives on language, language acquisition and making-up of personality and the related concepts such as speech genre, dialogue, situation-transcending practice, heteroglossia, polyphony, etc.. The second objective is to understand possible application of Bakhtinian perspectives to second language education, particularly to Japanese language education to the speakers of other languages. In addition, students will also practice describing different aspects of Japanese language collaboratively so that they can deepen their understanding of the nature of the language and develop effective learning and teaching strategies.
   This course will be an introduction to Bakhtin's thought and will be of interest for students in liretary criticism, anthropology, sociology, education, and language pedagogy. International students will also gain insights into the nature of Japanese language and may find how best basic Japanese capacity could be acquired. For Japanese students this course will be a good introduction to the theory and practice in a new approach to Japanese language education firmly based in Bakhtinian philosophy of language.
   The materials used in the class will be in English. Information on Japanese translations wil be provided. The collaboration between international and Japanese students will foster most favorable environment to achive above objectives.

Learning Goals
   Psychology of language

1. Bakhtinian perspectives on language, language acquisition, and making-up of personality
2. Concept of situated interaction and situation-transcending practice
3. Concept of cultural forms, figured world, and self-authoring
4. Translating Bakhtinian perspectives into second language acquisition

1. Nature of Japanese language
2. Application of Bakhtinian perspectives to the curriculum designing of elementary Japanese language program
3. Application of Bakhtinian perspectives to instructional plan of a unit
4. Learning strategies for efficient acquisition of Japanese
5. Bird's-eye view of the system of Japanese grammar
6. Adequate grammatical explanations to the learners of Japanese as a second language

Requirement / Prerequisite
   Japanese students should function practically in English in oral mode. Non-Japanese students are not required to be proficient in Japanese or have knowledge in Japanese grammar, vocabulary, phonology, etc.

Class Plan

	Theme	Content
Week 1		Introduction: overview of the lecture
Week 2		Origin of the curse( 呪 い): Saussurian perspectives on language and approaches to second language acquisition and teaching
Week 3		From linguistic competence to communicative competence
Week 4		Going back to the fundamental facts about language/verbal sign and humans
Week 5		Bakhtin? Who?
Week 6		Marx's perspective on human and consciousness
Week 7		Consciousness and verbal sign
Week 8		The idea of speech genre and dialogic orientation of discourse
Week 9		Bakhtinian perspectives on language and language acquisition 1
Week 10		Bakhtinian perspectives on language and language acquisition 2
Week 11		Dialogism and polyphony 1
Week 12		Dialogism and polyphony 2
Week 13		The reality par excellence, natural attitude, and language
Week 14		Language and psychic experience (subjective psyche)
Week 15		Discussion and concluding remarks

Independent Study Outside of Class
   Students are required to spend 2-3 hours to do the reading and other assignments and to prepare for the quiz.

Textbooks
   Materials will be given in the class.

Grading Policy

1. Attendance and participation ― 20 %
2. Weekly short reports ― 30 %
3. Final report 1 ― 20 %
   Theme: Reflections on my second language (Japanese language) learning experiences ---
   issues and ideas for future learning
4. Final report 2 ― 30 %

1. Place of grammar in second language (Japanese language) learning/acquisition etc.