Child Language (C8823)
Child Language: Development, Disorders and Individual Differences
Module C8823
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Full Module Description
Language is vital to our ability to understand others and be understood ourselves. Children appear to acquire language almost effortlessly – or do they? In this module we will discuss various aspects of language acquisition to better understand this important aspect of early child development. Topics may include gestures, accents, vocabulary growth and the role of sleep, among others. We will focus primarily on typical development, but also discuss implications and findings from children with developmental disorders and learning differences. We will consider language learning in non-laboratory environments, including the impact of television and electronic devices on children’s learning.
Module Outline
Language is vital to our ability to understand others and be understood ourselves. Children appear to acquire language almost effortlessly – or do they? In this module we will discuss various aspects of language acquisition to better understand this important aspect of early child development. Topics may include gestures, accents, vocabulary growth and the role of sleep, among others. We will focus primarily on typical development, but also discuss implications and findings from children with developmental disorders and learning differences. We will consider language learning in non-laboratory environments, including the impact of television and electronic devices on children’s learning.
Pre-Requisite
Pre-requisites include Developmental Psychology or equivalent.
Module learning outcomes
Systematically understand key aspects of theories of child word learning and communication development
Be able to critically evaluate relevance of empirical evidence, including research methods and testing, concerning language acquisition and communication development in children.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (2000 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 2 Mon 16:00 | 65.00% |
| Coursework | 35.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Test | T1 Week 7 (1 hour) | 85.71% |
| Portfolio | T1 Week 11 | 14.29% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Workshop | 2 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Jessica Horst
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/205721
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