LSMCBLR-Corpus-based approaches to language description

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Sylvia Jaworska
Email: s.jaworska@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Corpus-based approaches have had an enormous impact on the description of language in use. The analysis of language patterning and frequencies across large quantities of text can reveal features of language use that may not be easily accessible otherwise. The module aims to introduce students to the tools and methods of Corpus Linguistics (CL) and the application of CL as a tool for the analysis of language use in a variety of registers and discourse contexts. Students will be offered a comprehensive training in the use of specialist software for the analysis of language in corpora (large electronic text compilations), and will gain a hands-on experience in creating, annotating, analysing and summarising corpus-data for their own research purposes.

Aims:
Corpus-based approaches have had an enormous impact on the description of language in use. The analysis of language patterning and frequencies across large quantities of text can reveal features of language use that may not be easily accessible otherwise. The module aims to introduce students to the tools and methods of Corpus Linguistics (CL) and the application of CL as a tool for the analysis of language use in a variety of registers and discourse contexts. Students will be offered a comprehensive training in the use of specialist software for the analysis of language in corpora (large electronic text compilations), and will gain a hands-on experience in creating, annotating, analysing and summarising corpus-data for their own research purposes.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• create their own collection of text (a corpus) with an appropriate quantity of documentation, and explain in details the principles upon which they have built the corpus
• use software to define corpus queires in a precise manner and extract data from a corpus for research purposes, and be able to manipulate this output with a clear understanding of the nature of the data
• conduct a study of a particular feature of language use, in a particular register or discourse context, that is based on the analysis of a corpus (or corpora) and which makes appropriate use of the corpus analysis skills that have been practised during the module
• evaluate critically the language data to a substantial review of relevant literature
• use computer technology competently and effectively as a tool in linguistic research

Additional outcomes:
The module aims to encourage the development of students' critical and evaluative skills. Through group-work and individual tasks students will be encouraged to develop independent thinking, teamwork and presentation skills.

Outline content:
The course will cover the following topics: history and key concepts of Corpus Linguistics (frequency, collocation, colligation, keywords, semantic prosody); corpus design, sampling and representativeness; corpus annotation; web-corpora; working with corpus software; use of corpora in second language acquisition research (learner corpora); applications of corpora in language pedagogy.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Interactive lectures combined with practical computer sessions.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:	280
Total hours by term	300
Total hours for module	300

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One essay of 4500-5000 words on a general topic related to the focus of the module. The essay will focus on an area (or areas) of theory, research or research methods discussed in the module (chosen by the student), and will link the topic to practical and professional areas of interest (e.g., a teaching and/or learning situation with which the student is familiar).

This piece of work constitutes 100% of the module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination by coursework to be submitted by 1 September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022