1.  As a senior capstone course, the course is designed to allow students to develop areas of study that are of individual interest.   Students will develop a reading list for their chosen topics, will present and discuss the findings from their readings periodically throughout the semester, and will evaluate what they have learned from their readings. 
     2.  Students will develop, implement, and evaluate a teaching/tutoring plan which will form the basis for a teaching journal. 
      3.  Students will further develop their teaching skills through in-class demonstration lessons and will analyze the relationship between teaching goals and practices.
 

      1.  The course introduces students to linguistic concepts relevant to first language (L1) acquisition as a basis for the study of linguistic concepts relevant to second language (L2) acquisition. 
      2.  Students will become familiar with the factors that are unique to the L2 acquisition process.  Students will explore the linguistic concepts discussed in class through their own language learning experiences, classroom observations, data analyses, and language learner surveys. 
      3.  Students will explore the use of language learning strategies as a means of becoming more effective language learners.

     1) learn how to adapt, evaluate, and critique existing materials;
     2) learn how to design, write and refine your own language syllabi/materials, including directions, simplifications, activities, realia, etc.;
     3) become familiar with some basic concepts related to listening, speaking, reading, and writing in foreign/second language learning and learn to write appropriate methods for developing second language skills; and
     4) become familiar with the theoretical bases and current issues that underlie syllabus design and materials development.

     Students will become familiar with American English phonetics including segments, stress, rhythm, intonation, and linking in connected speech within a communicative context;
     students will get extensive practice in phonetic transcription;
     students will experience various techniques for teaching pronunciation to second language learners;
     students will develop, implement, and evaluate a teaching plan;
     and the class will discuss issues related to teaching pronunciation to second language learners (e.g., socio-cultural factors, personality factors, individual learner goals).