The course will provide the student with a better understanding of current theoretical and applied issues in language and reading development. It will target primarily first language learning but will cover second language learning whenever appropriate. A cognitive-developmental approach will be used to examine topics such as: the development of basic language reading skills including speech perception and phonological awareness, morphological awareness, orthographic processing and their respective contributions to reading, lexical learning and vocabulary development, the role of vocabulary in reading comprehension, comprehension strategies, reading disability, cross-language transfer of language and reading skills between first and second language in bilingual children, and cognitive effects of bilingualism. Implications of theories on instruction will be discussed whenever relevant. Students will be encouraged to develop their own research and/or applied projects. The course will be conducted in a seminar format. A different topic will be discussed in each session. Key issues pertaining to research methodology and data analysis will be addressed as needed.