Course description and objectives: The aim of the course is to show how individual differences are related to some of the core issues in applied linguistics and the role they play in second language acquisition. The study of individual differences has originated from observations that there is a wide variation among language learners in terms of their ultimate success in mastering an L2. During the course we discuss important learner characteristics, such as, for example, personality, language aptitude, motivation, language learning strategies, learning styles, anxiety, self-esteem, learner beliefs, etc. We also look at other characteristics which are beyond the learner’s control, such as age, gender, educational background, language proficiency, culture, ethnicity, etc. The learning outcomes and competences: n To understand the significance of learner individual differences in language learning n To interpret appropriately any reactions, learning problems and learner behaviours on the basis of their individual differences n To react and adapt their teaching in relation to existing individual differences among their learners. Assessment: Final exams, classroom presentations and written assignments. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES: THE AIM OF THE COURSE IS TO SHOW HOW INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES ARE RELATED TO SOME OF THE CORE ISSUES IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS AND THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. THE STUDY OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES HAS ORIGINATED FROM OBSERVATIONS THAT THERE IS A WIDE VARIATION AMONG LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN TERMS OF THEIR ULTIMATE SUCCESS IN MASTERING AN L2. DURING THE COURSE WE DISCUSS IMPORTANT LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS, FOR EXAMPLE, PERSONALITY, LANGUAGE APTITUDE, MOTIVATION, LANGUAGE LEARNING STRATEGIES, LEARNING STYLES, ANXIETY, SELF-ESTEEM, LEARNER BELIEFS, ETC. WE ALSO LOOK AT OTHER CHARACTERISTICS WHICH ARE BEYOND THE LEARNER’S CONTROL, SUCH AS AGE, GENDER, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, CULTURE, ETHNICITY, ETC.
