Singapore University of Social Sciences

Sociolinguistics and Education

Sociolinguistics and Education (TSL505)

Synopsis

TSL 505 Sociolinguistics and Education explores fundamental concepts and theories in sociolinguistics. Variation in language and language use are considered in relation to the variables of location, class, culture, gender, change and ideology. Special attention is placed on how an understanding of the operation of these variables bears on the issues of language policy, planning and education practice in Singapore and elsewhere.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JULY
E-Learning: BLENDED - Learning is done MAINLY online using interactive study materials in Canvas. Students receive guidance and support from online instructors via discussion forums and emails. This is supplemented with SOME face-to-face sessions. If the course has an exam component, this will be administered on-campus.

Topics

  • Languages, dialects, styles and registers
  • Pidgin and creole languages
  • Regional variation, social variation and variation studies
  • Diglossia, code-switching and code-mixing
  • The ethnography of communication
  • Language and culture
  • Language and gender
  • Language and disadvantage
  • Language change
  • Language planning
  • Bilingualism and multilingualism
  • Sociolinguistics and language teaching

Learning Outcome

  • Examine the fundamental concepts of sociolinguistics
  • Discuss the major theories of sociolinguistics
  • Analyse the relation between language and culture
  • Evaluate the issue of language, gender and disadvantage
  • Critique the issue of bilingualism/multilingualism, language policy and planning
  • Appraise the impact of sociolinguistic processes on classroom practices
Back to top
Back to top