The current and official versions of the course specifications are available on the web at .
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The course emphasises recent research in second language acquisition and the theoretical issues underlying such research in terms of (a) various approaches to assessing and describing learner language; (b) the notion of "interlanguage"; (c) the question of transfer from first language in second language learning; (d) cognitive processes and strategies involved in second language learning and communication; (e) individual learner characteristics, learning and environments; (f) social and cultural factors affecting L1 and L2 use; (g) consideration of the implications of second language learning research and theory for language teaching.
