The course explores the nature of language development in children. Biological endowment and environmental factors are considered. Language acquisition from fetal sound sensitivity to language behaviours of school-age children is investigated. Acquisition of the subsystems of language along with bilingualism and minority language contexts are explored. Stages in child language are identified and theories and current research on child language are examined. Students are introduced to methodologies, tools and strategies of child language research. Opportunity is provided for the collection and analysis of language data.