Exam questions in Applied linguistics

  1. What is the main concern of applied linguistics and how does it differ from theoretical linguistics in its aims, methods and approaches?
  2. What is language? How can we define it to reflect its multiple features and functions?
  3. How does human language differ from animal communication systems? Why can’t chimps talk?
  4. What is the main field of interest of pragmatics? Why is it important to distinguish linguistic form and function? How do the different theories we have discussed relate to the study of language function?
  5. Speech Act Theory and Halliday’s language functions
  6. The Gricean Maxims and their criticism
  7. What theories provide an explanation for the relationship between language, thought and culture?
  8. What is the Whorfian Hypothesis? On what grounds can it be supported or rejected?
  9. What is the main field of interest of sociolinguistics? How is it a good symbol of a multi-disciplinary filed? What methodological problems do sociolinguists face and what solutions have been found?
  10. What theories provide explanations for first language acquisition?
  11. What is the Critical Period Hypothesis? What support has been found to support it in FLA and SLL?
  12. Which aspects of human functioning are affected by the critical period?
  13. Describe Krashen’s Input Hypothesis and its criticism.

Exam questions in Language Acquisition

  1. How does behaviourism explain FLA and why was it criticised?
  2. How does innatism explain FLA and why was Chomsky’s contribution criticised?
  3. How does functionalism explain FLA? What is the role of motherese in FLA?
  4. How does connectivism explain FLA?
  5. What is the Critical Period Hypothesis? What support has been found to support in FLA?
  6. What factors influence FLA and how?
  7. What aspects of human functioning are affected by the critical period?
  8. Why is it more difficult to produce a theory of SLA/SLL than a theory of FLA?
  9. What theories provide and explanation for SLA/SLL?

Exam questions in Presentation Skills

1. What makes a good presentations

2. Defining presentation as a genre

2. Before the presentation: clarifying aims, coping with stage fright

3. Short - and long – term preparation

4. Determining the genre, choosing, and focusing the topic, brainstorming

5. Outlining and drafting, analysing audience and context, format, formality

6. Effective introductions and conclusions

7. Argumentation: making and justifying claims

8. Rhetoric

9. Language and style

10. Body language

11. Interacting with the audience

12. Asking and answering questions