LLED 496: Theory and Practice in Additional Language Teaching and Learning

July 2 – August 9

Format: Online – asynchronous


The general objective of this course is to provide an overview of additional language acquisition theory. Linguistic diversity is gaining increasing importance in the field of education due to shifting economic and social factors related to globalization, immigration, migration, and changing language policy. In response to those shifts, this course facilitates the critical consumption of the knowledge and evidence needed to make informed decisions related to additional language teaching and learning. Class members examine an array of additional language acquisition theory and research in order to authentically evaluate current trends in applied linguistics. Central to this understanding is experiential inquiry connecting theory with practice in order to explore answers to the question of how additional languages are learned.

After completing this course, students should be able to:

  • Conceptualize the many facets of additional language teaching and learning
  • Critically examine Additional Language Teaching and Leaning (ALTL) theory and research from multiple perspectives to develop an informed understanding applicable to situated learning contexts
  • Apply a critical appreciation of ALTL theory and research to high stakes decision making
  • Recognize key variables in multilingual and additional language classrooms
  • Engage in experiential inquiry and research with speakers of additional languages
  • Reflect on the effectiveness of qualitative research in ALTL
  • Identify and contribute to effective additional language learning environments
  • Deconstruct common myths and misconceptions surrounding ALTL

Dr. Karen Densky 

Dr. Karen Densky has a PhD in Curriculum Theory & Implementation from Simon Fraser University. She has over 30 years of English language teaching experience and over 20 years as a TESOL teacher educator specializing in curriculum & instruction and practicum. Karen believes in the importance of praxis – theory informing practice and practice informing theory – in all of her work as a language teacher.

Karen has given workshops and taught internationally in Mexico, Greenland, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Chile and has developed and led field schools to Mexico and Vietnam. Karen has been president of BC TEAL and a member of the BC TEAL board for over a decade. Her areas of research are in creativity and language learning, teacher identity, and high impact practices.

How to register

To register for courses, please visit the Student Service Centre (SSC).

This course is part of our Teaching English and Additional Languages (TEAL) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (12-credits).

Learn more

Register for Term two (July/August) courses via the Student Service Centre (SSC).

If you are looking to transfer a course into UBC Vancouver, or another institution, please confirm transfer credit will be approved prior to registering for a UBC Okanagan course.

*It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the course is accepted towards the completion of a program.

Register for Term two (July/August) courses via the Student Service Centre (SSC). You must have current Summer registration eligibility. If not, please email sie.education@ubc.ca.

If you are looking to transfer a course into UBC Vancouver, or another institution, please confirm approval of transfer credit prior to registration.

*It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the course is accepted towards the completion of a program.

To register for a course, you will first need to submit an online application via Education Planner BC portal

  • Sign up for your EducationPlannerBC Account and follow the instructions to complete your applicant profile.
  • Select University of British Columbia as the institution you want to apply to
  • Select the upcoming Winter Session: September – December
  • Select “Access Studies”
  • Under “Access Studies” section, indicate that your program of interest is the Okanagan School of Education’s Summer Institute in Education Summer Session May – August.
  • Once all necessary fields are filled in, click the “Save” button at the bottom of the page.
  • You will be prompted to review your EPBC application and pay an application fee.

Once you have paid the application fee, email nondegree.ok@ubc.ca if you want UBC to process it quicker. If not, it will take three to five business days for UBC to admit you.

Please contact sie.education@ubc.ca with your UBC student number and courses of interest.