Professor Jane Zuengler: My Teaching

I teach courses in second language learning, ESL methods, the spread of English, research methods in Applied Linguistics, and seminars with special topics within the field. Here are descriptions of some of the courses I teach:

English 332:
“The Global Spread of English”

In this course, we’ll examine the linguistic, social, and political impact of the spread of English around the world. Through readings, discussion, and engagement in conversations with guest speakers, we will critically consider the role and development of English in various world contexts—e.g., Morocco, Turkey, Switzerland, Tanzania, India, Singapore, France, Brazil, and others—and the issues surrounding the presence of English. Some of the questions we will address include: at what age do people start studying English? How is it taught? Is it a language confined to the elite, or is it more widespread? What model of English is promoted? Is English influencing local languages, and if so, how? Is there public debate about the impact of English—on the local culture and values, on people’s access to literacy, on economic factors, on the country’s future? Etc. While we will study English in various countries, we will consider as well topics which transcend geography, such as English on the Internet, and English as an agent in the spread of American popular culture.

English 333:
“Introduction to Second Language Acquisition”

English 333 will provide you with an introduction to current theory and research on language learning. While consideration will be given to both first and second language acquisition, our primary emphasis will be on second/foreign language acquisition. Though many of the examples involve the acquisition of English, most if not all of what we read can be applied to other languages as well. We will consider such questions as: What are some current theories and models of language acquisition? What factors are involved in the acquisition process? How do learners develop ways of communicating in a second language? How is language learning situated, and how do various contexts of use affect learners’ use and development of the second language?

English 334:
“Introduction to TESOL Methods”

This course is an introductory survey of methods of teaching English as a second or foreign language, with a focus on theory and rationale, and techniques and materials. Emphasis will be on developing your ability to critically evaluate methods and materials, as well as familiarizing you with current issues in the teaching of ESL or other second or foreign languages.

English 711:
“Research Methods in Applied Linguistics”

The goal of this course is to introduce you to the research process in applied linguistics. Emphasis will be on helping you understand and critically evaluate language learning/language use research in such journals as Language Learning, Modern Language Journal, TESOL Quarterly, and others. You will have an opportunity to read and evaluate some published research in an area of your interest, as well as undertake your own research.

English 713:
“Topics in Contemporary English Linguistics: Academic Practices in Language and Linguistics”

An important part of graduate student training—for PhD students as well as advanced MA students interested in academic scholarship—is socialization into the practices of researchers and theorists in the academic field in which the student will become a member. English 713 seeks to provide such students with guidance in some of the academic practices. Specifically, the course will offer guided experience in a practice integral to conferences in one’s field, namely, preparing and delivering a paper to an academic audience. Activity in the course will involve developing plans for, writing, and presenting a paper on one’s research or theoretical interests. The event will be a symposium, organized by and consisting of presentations by the participants in English 713. It will be held here on campus toward the end of the semester. Students will ask fellow students and faculty in their area to attend.

English 905:
“Seminar in Applied English Linguistics: Critical Perspectives in Applied Linguistics and SLA”

Starting with such topics as World Englishes/linguistic imperialism, critical discourse analysis, and methods and metaphors for second language acquisition, we will primarily orient ourselves to locating and understanding issues and points of controversy in the literature in each of the areas. We recognize that complexity, disagreement, and in some cases, heated debate are common in any intellectual endeavor to understand phenomena in the world, and in our case, language. Through reading, discussion, and presentations, we will consider some current issues and controversies in a variety of subareas within applied linguistics and second language acquisition, identifying where possible the historical backgrounds of the issues, and determining where we individually situate ourselves vis-à-vis the points of difference. It is hoped that through such attention to issues, students will come to have a more complexified, nuanced view of some areas of the field as well as preparation for identifying and situating themselves vis-à-vis the inevitable issues or controversies existing within their specific area of research and theoretical interest. Toward achieving the latter, students will be asked to select a research area of their interest to focus on for concentrated reading, presentations to the seminar, and the writing of an issue-oriented review of literature.