Understanding language and learning

Learning is understood broadly as any kind of activity, whether in a formal or informal context, that enhances an individual’s knowledge or skills in one way or another. The relationship between language and learning is approached in three ways: learning a language, learning about language and learning through language. This free course, Understanding language and learning, explains and illustrates the different relationships between language and learning, and these are illustrated through videos, activities and other examples.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Is this course for me?
• 1 Is this course for me?
• 2 Learning language and learning about the world
• 2 Learning language and learning about the world
• 3 Language and learning as cognitive or social processes
• 3 Language and learning as cognitive or social processes
• 4 Learning a language, learning through language and learning about language
• 4 Learning a language, learning through language and learning about language
• 5 Learning language and mental development: an introduction to Vygotsky
• 5 Learning language and mental development: an introduction to Vygotsky
• 6 The zone of proximal development (ZPD)
• 6 The zone of proximal development (ZPD)
• 7 Learning through language in bilingual education
• 7 Learning through language in bilingual education
• 8 Problematising the L1/L2 dichotomy
• 8 Problematising the L1/L2 dichotomy
• 9 English as a global language and World Englishes
• 9 English as a global language and World Englishes
• Conclusion
• References
• Acknowledgements