This course aims to deal with both first and second language acquisition, with the emphasis being on the latter. Theories of first and second language acquisition are introduced with the aim of providing students with the tools to evaluate theories in light of research and their own experience. Specific problems and important patterns of first and second language acquisition processes are compared and discussed against the background of the introduced theories. Students will have practice analysing real language data. Emphasis will also be placed on the impact of individual differences in second language acquisition.