Second language phonology

Course description

This is an advanced linguistics course that examines the second language acquisition of the phonological system of Spanish. The goal of this course is to provide students with a sound foundation of the factors that influence L2 phonological acquisition, and Spanish in particular, and also to provide students with a level of analytical knowledge that enables them to conduct empirical research in this field. We will first present an overview of the main theoretical frameworks that account for L2 phonological acquisition and research methodologies. We will then address main findings in the field of Spanish L2 phonology, and the factors (linguistic, social and individual) that have been shown to influence this process.

Learning goals

By the end of this course, students will:

• Develop a critical understanding of how second language learners acquire sound systems.
• Engage actively with current research and debates in the field of L2 phonology.
• Apply theoretical and empirical tools to analyze second language speech data.
• Cultivate independent thinking and research skills in phonetics and phonology.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will:

• Explain key concepts and theoretical approaches in second language phonology.
• Summarize central questions and findings from research on the acquisition of sound systems.
• Interpret empirical results in the literature and evaluate their implications for theories of language acquisition.
• Formulate original research questions based on gaps or open issues in the field.
• Design and carry out an independent research project in Spanish L2 phonetics and phonology.

Sample Lecture Notes

Introductory Lecture on PAM and PAM-L2