Combining subject-specific and subject-independent competencies in teaching Linguistics

Abstract

In recent decades, the concept of key competencies has become increasingly relevant in education, prompting universities to revise their curricula to make more room for subject-independent skills and knowledge. We argue that the best way to incorporate key competencies into the curriculum is teaching them through different subjects. In favour of this notion we present the case study of our course Introduction to Linguistics at the University of Tartu (Estonia), which successfully combines subject-specific and subject-independent knowledge through a coursework which let the students write their own linguistic autobiography, combining their own unique experience with an academic framework. In the process, the students mastered the linguistic concepts covered in lectures, while also practicing academic writing and application of academic methods.