This document provides information about the MEI-1202 Principles of Language Acquisition course taught by Dr. Gilberto Hernández Quirós. The course aims to introduce key concepts of language acquisition and learning through discussion of readings and research. It will be held on Saturdays from 8am to 5pm and uses technological platforms to maximize interaction between students and the professor. Students will create a Personal Learning Environment and are evaluated based on blog/podcast/presentation projects and participation in discussions and a workshop.

1. MEI-1202 Principles of Language Acquisition
By Dr. Gilberto Hernández Quirós
Educational material created by Dr. Gilberto Hernández Quirós for ULATINA Centro Interamericano de Posgrados. MEI-1202 TEFL. 2012 1

2. Master’s Degree in TEFL
• Centro Interamericano de Postgrados (CIP)
– Course code: MEI-1202
– Course name: Principles of Language Acquisition
– Schedule: Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
– Professor: Dr. Gilberto Hernández Quirós
• ghernandezq@gmail.com
• www.gilbertohernandez.blogspot.com
• www.gilbertohernandez.wordpress.com
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3. Targets
• “Towards the Attainment of Creativity and CreActivity in
TEFL.”
• “Effectiveness in TEFL Under Premises of Mutual
Cooperation.”
• “Self-organization, Interconnectivity and Pedagogical
Mediation.”
• “The Use of 7 Lessons Chaos.”
• “Uncertainty as Part of Unexpected Know-How.”
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4. A SUPPORTIVE SYSTEM
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5. COURSE CHRONOGRAM
WEEK DATES
WEEK 1 January 19th
WEEK 2 January 26th
WEEK 3 February 2nd
WEEK 4 February 9th
WEEK 5 February 16th
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6. COURSE DESCRIPTION
• MEI-1202 Principles of Language Acquisition aims
at introducing and engaging teaching professionals in
active discussion and ongoing research regarding key
concepts on principles of language acquisition,
learning and teaching.
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7. Objectives
• General
– Become acquainted with systematic reliable information and articles to better
understand how people acquire and/or learn (or fail to learn) different
languages.
• Specific
– Discuss different chapters on how language is acquired or learned.
– React critically to readings and socialize contents with classmates by creating
dynamics and/or exercises.
– Create a PLE: Personal Learning Environment to mediate information from the
readings.
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8. Contents based on Principles of Language Learning and Teaching by H. Doublas Brown
Language, Learning, and First Language Acquisition Age and Acquisition
Teaching
Human Learning Styles and Strategies Personality Factors
Sociocultural Factors Cross-Linguistic Influence and Communicative Competence
Learner Language
Theories of Second Language
Acquisition
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9. COURSE CONTENTS
ACADEMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION OTHER
PROFESSIONAL MEDIATION
PROJECTION
READINGS from The SLIDE SHARE TEMPLATESWISE WORDLE
English Teaching FORUM BLOG
Practice Test for PODCASTS EDUCATIONAL
TOEIC mapped WEBSITES
onto CEFR
WORKSHOPS PREZI SOCIAL NETWORKS
(presentation of BLOGGER PODERATO
activities) (podcasts)
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10. METHODOLOGY
• MEI-1202 will rely upon all participants’ active interaction and professional
engagement to enrich the creation of information, conducive to
knowledge. The use of paper will be minimized and technological
platforms and social networking will be highly fostered. Central Core and
ATP (Automatización de Tareas y Proyectos) will be employed to maximize
the use of the University’s applications to facilitate the exchange of
information and improve interaction between students and professors.
Students will be required to create their own Personal Learning
Environment (PDL) as a way to help learners take control of and manage
their own learning.
help learners take control of
and manage their own learning
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11. EVALUATION
TASKS UNDERTAKEN PERCENTAGE
Blog, Slide Share, Podcast 30%
Class participation and 20%
discussion of readings
Mediated Presentation 30%
Workshop and Final Demo 20%
Activity Around a Specific
Teaching Approach
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12. Expected projects created
• A blog (publish reactions from reading)
• A podcast or vodcast
• Slide Share PPT’s
• Mediated Demo (workshop presentation)
1. Do I have a blog? YES NO NOT YET
2. Do I have a podcast? YES NO NOT YET
3. Do I have a Slide Share account? YES NO NOT YET
4. Will I present the activities with a colleague? YES NO NOT YET
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13. KNOWLEDGE
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14. Useful Links for Week 1
– http://exchanges.state.gov/englishteaching/foru
m-journal.html English Teaching Forum
– http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/
Sounds of English from the University of Iowa
– http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/dialects//
Dialectoteca del Español
– http://www.templateswise.com/ Templates Wise
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15. Thank you!
• Q&A
– gilberto.hernandez@ulatina.ac.cr
– ghernandezq@gmail.com
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