2M355 Accents of English

    • Course code
      2M355
    • Number of credits
      10
    • Teaching semester
      2025 Spring
    • Language of instruction
      English
    • Campus
      Hamar
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      None

Course content
  • Language variation and change
  • Major national, regional and social accents of English
  • A systematic overview of accent variables, i.e. the ways in which pronunciation varies
  • The correlation between pronunciation and social and cultural factors
  • Analysis of authentic spoken language data from select accents

Learning Outcome

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes: 

Knowledge

The student

  • has acquired knowledge about how and why English pronunciation varies regionally and socially
  • has acquired knowledge about some of the most important linguistic variables in accent classification
  • has gained an understanding about attitudes to accents: the correlation between pronunciation and social and cultural factors
  • has insight into relevant issues regarding the choice of English accent individually as well as in the teaching of English pronunciation in the Norwegian classroom
Skills

The student

  • is able to describe and explain systematic linguistic differences between social and regional accents of English
  • is able to identify and explain distinctive linguistic features in authentic spoken English language data
  • can understand and engage in current debates pertaining to the teaching of English pronunciation to English Language Learners
General competence

The student

  • has insight into academic and professional ethical issues relevant for the study of different varieties of English
  • can plan and carry out relevant assignments and projects over time, alone or as part of a group, and in accordance with ethical requirements and principles
  • can communicate important academic subject matters such as theories, problems and solutions, both in writing and orally
  • can exchange opinions and experiences with others with a background in the field, thereby contributing to the development of good practice
Teaching and working methods

Teaching takes the form of interactive lectures and seminars. The learning platform Canvas is used for course information and guidance. The course requires regular and active participation in seminars as well as in work with exercises in and out of class.

Required coursework
  • An attendance record of at least 75 % according to the semester plan. Students are responsible for registration of attendance.
  • Submission of 2 assignments within specified deadlines during the course. The assignments must be approved by the teacher no later than 2 weeks before the exam.
Assessments
Form of assessmentGrading scaleGroupingDuration of assessmentSupport materialsProportionComment
Portfolio Assessment
ECTS - A-F
Individual
  • All
100%
Form of assessment

An individual portfolio graded on a scale from A to F. A is the highest pass grade and E is the lowest pass grade. Both language skills and content must satisfy minimum requirements in order for the candidate to obtain a pass grade. 

Professional overlap
NameCreditsDateComment
2ML355 Accents of English
10
Course name in Norwegian Nynorsk: 
Accents of English
Course name in Norwegian Bokmål: 
Accents of English
Faculty
Faculty of Education
Area of study
Historisk-filosofiske fag
Programme of study
Master's Degree in Culture and Language Didactics
Course level
Second degree level (500-HN)