/Linguistics exam questions Choice of seven questions, answer two. Might be an idea to prepare 3 areas. In each question, give examples referring to the learning of French. External examiner: Vera OReagan- wrote a book on identity.
Q1. Socio-Linguistic Competence. (Extent to which language learners need) y
How developed does a person need to be- adolescence
y
Along
y
For them to development SLC. What age
y
Article
y
At what point can they acquire SLC?
y
Look
developmental axis. Cognitive development. we looked at by Young/ Jung.
at adolescent learners of French.
Q2. General question about age. y
What is role played by age in acquiring 2 nd language?
y
How important is it? Does it make a different? Etc.
Q3 Based on article. look at reference from article (try for name and year) [no need for quotes, just names will do] y
No need for detailed results, just get a general idea.
y
Discussion part will give a good overview.
y
Etienne and Sacks, 2004, article,
y
Explicit focus on Stylistic Variation
y
Value of more explicit focus
y
Way in which- if have grammatical explanation, It can almost misrepresent an authentic piece of French.
Q4 Personality Factors y
Effect of personality factors (nice question, apparently)
y
What impact, what has it shown for success or failure
y
Give examples for French acquisition
Q5. How much do you need specific structure to grammar classes? Debate pros and cons (neat essay) Q6. Teaching reading skills (Different methods of) and way in which theyre taught
Q7. Learning styles and language learning y
How you learn and how it refers to you
y
Use
y
Reflective essay.
examples you can use your own experiences and examples here
Advice:
An hour and a half for each essay. Ample time to plan. Make
plan before you go in.
y
Use two answer books; keep other one with plan open to refer to.
y
Structure and style Transitions. Make sure they flow logically into each other
y
Clear, logical.
y
Use
sub-headings if you want.
3 discernible sections e.g. Age question: Very, very condensed version of main argument. Flavour of what essay is going to be about. Dont just repeat title- throw in words/ synonyms from the question. Then outline what youre going to do.
Then pros and cons Critical evaluation.
Conclusion: y
Recap essay.
y
How it relates to other areas.
y
Open it up.
y
Dont use I, still passive
y
Obviously dont introduce new ideas in conclusion.
About 4-6 pages.
Broaden it out by bringing in anything else we looked at Bonus points!