SemesterSpring Semester, 2025
DepartmentMA Program of English, First Year Ph.D. Program in TESOL, First Year MA Program of English, Second Year Ph.D. Program in TESOL, Second Year
Course NameTheories and Practices of Bilingualism/Multilingualism/Translingualism
InstructorLIU YI-CHUN
Credit3.0
Course TypeElective
Prerequisite
Course Objective
Course Description
Course Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to Bilingualism, Multilingualism, and Translingualism





  • Key terms and distinctions: Bilingualism vs. Multilingualism vs. Translingualism.




  • Sociolinguistic contexts of bilingualism and multilingualism.




  • Readings: Wei (2018), Garcia & Li (2014).





Week 2: Historical Perspectives and Foundational Theories





  • The Interdependence Hypothesis (Cummins, 1979).




  • Code-switching vs. translanguaging.




  • Readings: Cummins (1979), Myers-Scotton (1993).





Week 3: Cognitive and Neurological Aspects of Bilingualism





  • The bilingual brain and cognitive advantages.




  • Language acquisition and critical period effects.




  • Readings: Bialystok et al. (2012).





Week 4: Sociocultural Theories and Language Ecology





  • Language as a social practice.




  • Language ecology and its implications.




  • Readings: Hornberger (2002), van Lier (2004).





Week 5: Translanguaging as Theory and Pedagogy





  • Translanguaging spaces and the role of identity.




  • Applications in the classroom.




  • Readings: Garcia & Wei (2014).





Week 6: Dynamic Bilingualism and Multilingualism





  • Multilingual repertoires and language fluidity.




  • Theories of dynamic bilingualism.




  • Readings: Canagarajah (2013), Grosjean (2008).





Week 7: Common Underlying Proficiency and Threshold Hypotheses





  • Exploring Cummins’ theoretical models.




  • Applications to language education.




  • Readings: Cummins (1981).





Week 8: Language Policy and Ideology





  • National and institutional language policies.




  • The role of ideology in shaping bilingual and multilingual education.




  • Readings: Spolsky (2004).





Week 9: Midterm Review and Discussion





  • In-depth discussion of theories covered.




  • Assignment due: Critical review of a theoretical framework.





Week 10: Multilingual Education and Pedagogies





  • Bilingual education models.




  • Designing multilingual classroom strategies.




  • Readings: Baker & Wright (2017).





Week 11: Assessing Multilingual Competencies





  • Challenges and tools for assessing bilingual and multilingual learners.




  • Readings: Shohamy (2006).





Week 12: Multilingualism in the Digital Age





  • Technology and multilingual practices.




  • Digital translanguaging.




  • Readings: Androutsopoulos (2015).





Week 13: Research Methods in Bilingualism and Multilingualism





  • Qualitative and quantitative approaches.




  • Ethics in multilingual research.




  • Readings: Ortega (2019).





Week 14: Challenges and Opportunities in Multilingual Pedagogies





  • Practical challenges in implementing translanguaging and multilingual strategies.




  • Opportunities for innovation in diverse classrooms.





Week 15: Student Presentations





  • Presentation of final projects: Research proposals or teaching plans.




  • Peer feedback and discussion.





Week 16: Synthesis and Reflection





  • Revisiting key theories and their practical implications.




  • Reflective discussion on future research and teaching practices.






 


Teaching Methods
Teaching Assistant

TBA


Requirement/Grading

Reaction papers (x4): 40%

Midterm Presentation: 20%

Final research paper: 30%

Participation: 10%


Textbook & Reference

NA


Urls about Course
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