ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of English Language & Applied Linguistics)

WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING
THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD
OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM
OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN
“AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.

Course: Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics (5655)

Level: Diploma TEFL Semester: Spring, 2020
Total Marks: 100

Pass Marks: 40
ASSIGNMENT No. 1
Q.1 What do you understand by Behaviourism and Mentalism? How would you
differentiate between the two theories? Give relevant examples? (15)

Q.2 Can you think of some examples of positive and negative reinforcement in
learning? Which one do you think has proved more effective in learning? Justify
you opinion. Do you copy the examples from the textbook? (15)

Q.3 Discuss in detail the role of the following elements in foreign language
learning: (15)
i. Motivation
ii. Personality
iii. Learning strategies
iv. Language aptitude

Q.4 In the following statements write T for true and F for false. (10)
i. In operant conditioning the learner is rewarded for every correct response to
a given stimulus.
ii. By Behaviorism we mean something which involves the mind and the thought.
iii. By ‘rules’ Chomsky means the unconscious rules in a child’s mind.
iv. Chomsky thinks that a child learns a first language through cognitive learning.
v. According to Chomsky, language learning is a matter of trial and errors.
vi. Children learn to speak even though they do not need to do so in order to
survive.
vii. Language is not learnt through imitation of a haphazard set of sounds.
viii. Operant conditioning is the result of repeated training.
ix. A child can make any number of ‘new’ sentences; one he understands the
underlying sentence pattern.
x. There is an area of the brain set aside for language development.

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Q.5 Write an imaginary dialogue of approximately 10 sentences on any topic of your
own choice. The dialogue should reflect the features peculiar to the spoken form of
language e.g. repetition, hesitation, contracted form, incorrect grammar, unfinished
sentences etc. (15)

Q.6 Imagine that 3 students are learning English by three different methods: Grammar-
Translation, audio-Lingual and direct Method. What strengths and weaknesses
would you expect each student to display in his/her competence in understanding
spoken language, speaking, reading and writing? Discuss in detail. (15)

Q.7 Do you think first language acquisition and second language learning involve
similar strategies? Discuss some of the differences between the two processes with
relevant examples. (15)
ASSIGNMENT No. 2
(Project)
Total Marks: 100

Pass Marks: 40
This assignment 2 is based on research oriented activity. You are required to carry out the
research and prepare a brief report on your findings in any one of the areas given below.
You will submit the report to the tutor within the scheduled period, present the same in
the course/assignment presentation workshop (the schedule of the course/assignment
presentation workshop will be intimated by the tutor concerned or the regional office).
The compulsory presentation carries 100 marks; 40 marks for the written report
assignment and 60 for the presentation.

A few guidelines for the written report and presentation:

a. The written report should have an introduction, body and conclusion. It should be
written in clear, concise and correct English.
b. It should be 5-8 double spaced typed/handwritten pages.
c. The APA 6th edition should be followed for references.
d. The oral presentation is to be assessed and evaluated mainly in
i. Contents the assignment/report
ii. Communication Skills
iii. Language Accuracy
iv. Language Fluency
v. Presentation Style

You may use audio visual aids like charts or any other relevant material for impressive
presentation with the permission of your tutor.

Attempt one of the following activities:

Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive
and comprehend language, as well as to produce and use words and sentences to
communicate. Language acquisition usually refers to first-language acquisition, which
studies the infants’ acquisition of their native language. This is distinguished from
second-language learning, which deals with learning (in both children and adults) of
additional language. Consider at least two people who can understand and communicate
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in either two or more than two languages. Interview them asking questions relating to
their language acquiring and learning strategies/dynamics (prepares a list of ten questions
for the interviews and attach with the report). Compile a report based on your findings.
Also discuss how individual differences play a vital role in the two processes.
OR
It is believed that positive and negative reinforcement has a definite role in changing the
behavior of an individual/learner. Positive reinforcement is often used as praise or a
reward whereas negative reinforcement is often used for punishment. It was B.F Skinner,
the founder of Behaviorism, who first used it this way. Reinforcement theory is one of
the motivations theories; it states that reinforced behavior will be repeated, and behavior
that is not reinforced is less likely to be repeated. Children learn to speak because their
parents give them positive reinforcement when they speak correctly and vice versa,
similarly students respond more positively to praise than to punishment. In the light of
the above points, discuss the pros and cons of using positive and negative reinforcement
in a language class and record the attitude of the teacher (positive or negative
reinforcement) along with resulting behavior of the learners and its impact on language
learning (prepares a list of ten questions for the interviews and attach with the report).
State your findings in the report.

Course: Sociolinguistics (5656)

Level: Diploma TEFL Semester: Spring, 2020
Dear Student,
We welcome you to Diploma in TEFL course Sociolinguistics, Code: 5656.
Sociolinguistics is the study of language and society.
You have to submit two assignments for this course. The first assignment is theory base;
whereas, the second assignment is a research based project.
NOTE: Remember that it is compulsory to attend at least 7 classes out of the total 10
classes. Similarly, you are required to pass both components: the written report as
well as presentation of the second assignment. Failing to attend the required number of
classes and pass/complete either of the components of the 2 nd assignments you will be
declared fail even if you have passed the final written examination.
Your study package for course 5656 includes:
1. Textbook: 5656
2. Two assignments
3. Six assignment forms.
(Note: Schedule for tutorials and assignments will be sent by the Regional office concerned.)
In case any item is missing please contact:
The Mailing Section
Allama Iqbal Open University
Sector H-8, Islamabad

Best of luck,
Course Coordinator

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 ASSIGNMENT No. 1
Total Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 40

Q.1 Language use varies according to age and social class. Discuss in detail. (15)

Q.2 What is meant by ‘expression of thought’? How will you link with communication?
Explain with appropriate examples. (15)

Q.3 What are language boundaries? What factors are used as criteria to help determine
these boundaries for language users? (15)

Q.4 How does language construct gender identities? Provide examples in the Pakistani
context to back your claim. (15)

Q.5 What are language policies and why are they essential for a country like
Pakistan. (10)

Q.6 Do you think language grows and develops with time? Substantiate your claim
with appropriate examples. (15)

Q.7 Define the following terms. (5 marks for each topic). (15)
i. Monolingualism
ii. Bilingualism
iii. Multilingualism

ASSIGNMENT No. 2
(Project)
This assignment is based on research activity. You are required to carry out the research
and prepare a brief report on your findings in any one of the areas given below. You will
submit the report to the tutor within the scheduled period, present the same in the
course/assignment presentation workshop (the schedule of the course/assignment
presentation workshop will be intimated by the tutor concerned or the Regional Office).
The compulsory presentation carries 100 marks; 40 marks for the written report
assignment and 60 for the presentation.

Select any one of the following topics for research.

1. Conduct a survey study to investigate what language varieties are being used by
students in a classroom. Select a population of all students and teachers of a school
and ask the same set of questions through a questionnaire. Finally, document the
data in a table and provide an analysis along with findings, result and conclusion.

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2. Find out the difference between perceptions of both male and female students
regarding any concept such as crime, adult education, child labor etc. Select a small
sample of 5 males and 5 females and record their responses. Note the use of
language and bias towards the concept. Analyze the data qualitatively and write a
discussion to explain the findings.
Note: Please take help from libraries, internet and books while writing your
project report.

Course: Grammar (5657) Semester: Spring, 2020

Level: Dip TEFL Total Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 40
ASSIGNMENT No. 1
Q.1 How would you differentiate between inductive and deductive approach to
grammar teaching? Which approach do you think is more suitable in teaching
grammar to ESL learners within the Pakistani context at secondary level? (20)

Q.2 Explain the difference between ‘chain and choice’ principle. What is the impact of
this principle on the elements of productivity and creativity of language? Support
your arguments with suitable examples. (20)

Q.3 Compare and contrast syntactic structures and patterns of Urdu and English
language. Which language do you think allows for more structural flexibility? (20)

Q.4 Discuss in detail the hierarchy of organizational units of grammar with relevant
examples. Also elaborate how does this organizational hierarchy account for
systematic grammar teaching? (20)

Q.5 Explain the difference between the following: (20)

a) Emphatic and reflexive pronouns
b) Adjectival and adverbial clauses
c) Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
d) Primary and modal auxiliaries

ASSIGNMENT No. 2
Assignment 2 is based on a research-oriented activity. You are required to study the
relevant area/conduct research and prepare a brief report on your findings in the area
given. You will then have to submit one copy of the report to the tutor within the
scheduled period and at the same time present the report/project in one of the tutorials
(the schedule/plan of the tutorials for the presentations will be intimated by the tutor
concerned or the Regional Director). The compulsory presentation carries 100 marks, 40
marks for the written report and 60 for the presentations.

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A few guidelines for the written report and the presentation:
a) The written report should have an introduction, body and conclusion. It should be
written in clear concise and correct English.
b) It should be 5–8 double spaced typed/handwritten pages.
c) The presentation will be assessed and evaluated mainly on the basis of:
i. Contents of the assignment/report
ii. Communication skills
iii. Language accuracy
iv. Language fluency
v. Presentation style
You may use transparencies, charts or any other relevant material for impressive
presentation with the permission of your tutor.
Attempt one of the following activities:
Design a lesson plan based on the teaching of passive voice transformation at secondary
level. Formulate clear and precise learning objectives relating to all the three domains of
Bloom’s Taxonomy (two each). Your lesson plan must incorporate presentation, practice
and production stage. You can make use of any of the suitable authentic material in the
presentation stage to make learning more effective. Assess the performance of your
learners by designing creative activities. Get the feedback from the learners to
revise/improve your lesson plan.
OR
Conduct a small scale research study to analyze the impact of corrective feedback to
develop descriptive writing skill of the students at intermediate level. You may use
experimental research design to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. You may
prepare an open ended questionnaire to seek opinions of the language teachers as well as
learners. Present the findings in your research report and give suggestions/
recommendations to improve the situation.

Course: Phonology (5658)

Level: MA Semester: Spring, 2020
Total Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 40

ASSIGNMENT No. 1
Q.1 Explain the following terms with examples: (10)
a. Phonology
b. Accent
c. Pure vowel
d. Assimilation
e. Voicing

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Q.2 Divide each of the following groups of symbols into two sets of three, each of
which has something in common phonetically. The first one is done for you. (20)

Symbols Set 1 Set 2

Example: pmtnkŋ p t k (oral plosives) m n ŋ (nasals)

1. hlpwjʃ
2. ʃ stlzd
3. nmrljŋ
4. pknltg
5. dnbmgŋ
6. tðӡθdp
7. kzglsŋ
8. bdpkgt
9. mjwlpb
10. tʃnӡlð

Q.3 Write down the distinctive features of the final consonantal sound in each of the
following words: (10)

Student bubble Have Garage Catch

Q.4 Transcribe and count the number of phonemes in each of the following words:
(10)
Brake Butterfly Psychology Climb School

Q.5 Transcribe and write down the CV templates for the following words showing their
syllabic boundaries: (10)
Minimize Articulate didactic Vacation Butterfly

Q.6 Define diphthong and describe English diphthongs with examples. (15)

Q.7 What is a syllable? Define the structure of syllable with the help of your own
examples from English language. (15)

Q.8 Distinguish between the terms ‘phonetics’ and ‘phonology’. Provide examples
from Pakistani regional languages. (10)

ASSIGNMENT No. 2
The second assignment is a project. You are required to study the relevant area, conduct
your research and prepare a report on your findings as per given instructions. You will
have to submit one copy of the report to your tutor within the scheduled time period and
then present the report in the tutorials. This compulsory assignment carries 100 marks, 40

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marks for the written report (assignment) and 60 for the presentation. You are required to
pass both these parts separately.

A few guidelines for the presentation and the written report:

i. The written report should have an introduction, body and conclusion. It
should be written in clear, concise and correct English.
ii. It should have 2000 to 3000 words.
iii. The presentation will be assessed and evaluated mainly in:
a. Contents of the assignment/report
b. Communication skills
c. Language fluency
d. Presentation style
iv. You may use transparencies, charts or any other material to make your
presentation impressive.

You will prepare your project on ONE of the following topics. Your tutor will assign
different topic to different students during your classes.

1. English (RP) vowels are very difficult to acquire for the non-native speakers of
English. Similarly, the teaching of English vowels is also a very challenging job.
One of the main reasons for vowels being difficult to teach is the changing forms of
vowels. Vowels are completely pronounced when they are part of a stressed
syllable (stressed vowels) but they are most of the time reduced (the process is also
known as vowels reduction) to sounds like [ǝ] or [ɪ] when they are not.

Browse through a dictionary English (preferably Cambridge or any other standard

dictionary) which shows the pronunciation of the words. Find (60 to 75) words that
present a vowel reduction for which you might have mistakenly expected that they
would be pronounced with a full vowel. Indicate and discuss which vowels are
reduced. Then, prepare your lesson plans for teaching this process (of vowel
reduction) to your students.

OR

2. When teaching sounds and words (of English), teachers have to make their students
understand that words have their phonological structure including a structure that
consists of phonemes and groups of phonemes called syllables. Teaching syllables
and their boundaries is very important for the students to fully grasp the structure
of English sounds and words. BUT the teaching of syllabic boundaries to the
students can be very difficult and challenging.

How would you teach your students the different ways by which words can be
divided into syllables (and mark their syllabic boundaries)? Also prepare a list of
words for which the syllabic boundaries are difficult to mark. Then, design a lesson
plan for the teaching of syllables and syllabic boundaries, implement it in an
English language class and present the results in your class.

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