Course Description and Outcomes

Eng 556 Teaching Linguistics (2 GR Credits)

The application of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics to teaching linguistics, ESL, and composition. This class includes further linguistic field research based on study of electronic and print professional journals. Offered Fall semesters. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate Introduction to Linguistics course or ENG 537

This course prepares graduate students to serve as teachers or teaching assistants of linguistics. An introductory course in linguistics serves as a first step, but the best way to deeply imprint linguistics concepts in phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics is to discover whether you can teach it to another. Thus, in 556, you will have a practicum in teaching linguistics. You may choose to assist with a face-to-face course (best when possible) or with online students. You will be best served in the latter case if (1) you attend Prof. Andrews' or Dr. Schmidt's online session and take students into a breakout room when he is available to answer your questions and (2) you then begin to offer occasional office hours of your own to assist students struggling with the task of learning linguistics online. You will also be asked to teach one or two sessions under observation and supervision (you may replace one teaching session with a research project if you have an idea for a journal or conference presentation or are working towards a linguistics thesis). You will also keep a journal of your issues as a new teacher of language.

In general, the course has these outcomes for students to pursue:

1. Better understand the fundamental principles of linguistic theory, both descriptive and historical.
2. Become familiar with issues in teaching the phonetic alphabet and phonological elements of language as well as the morphological, syntactic, and semantic/pragmatic elements of language.
3. Apply the principles and techniques of linguistics to those real-world contexts and explain those contexts clearly to students.
4. Understand the basic methods and problems of field research in linguistics and other fields and be able to assist students pursuing such research.