An up-to-date overview of second language acquisition, designed to engage 21st-century learners
Introducing Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives and Practices provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the main concepts, issues, and debates in second language acquisition studies. This introductory textbook is aimed specifically at students encountering the topic for the first time. Each chapter offers a modern layout with engaging pedagogical features such as self-assessment and discussion questions, project ideas, and further reading and viewing suggestions.
The second edition of Introducing Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives and Practices has been fully updated to reflect the most recent scholarship in the field. It introduces a new structure, featuring separate chapters on theoretical perspectives which cover past and present approaches as well as cognitive approaches. New content also includes sections on skill acquisition theory, translanguaging, second language literacy development, and multilingualism.
Written in accessible language and with a focus on practical applications, this go-to textbook is a clear and concise introduction to second language acquisition studies, offering lessons drawn from the latest leading research. It is an ideal resource for students in applied linguistics and second language education. This key text offers:
- Comprehensive coverage of the latest research in second language acquisition studies
- Improved organizational structure to promote greater student comprehension
- Engaging introduction to the theoretical underpinnings of second language acquisition, with chapters on first language acquisition and bilingualism and multilingualism
- Coverage of key topics including acquisition contexts, theoretical perspectives, language teaching methods, and individual differences
- Pedagogical tools to aid student learning, including “language learning in practice” textboxes, bolded terms defined in the margins, and an end-of-book glossary
With a strong focus on the fundamentals, this second edition of Introducing Second Language Acquisition stands as an innovative guide. This book is ideal for today’s undergraduate students, offering a practical focus and appealing format that will aid in learning and provide a solid foundation for further study.
Table of Contents:
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
About the Companion Website xvii
1 Introduction 1
Reference 4
2 First Language Acquisition 5
2.1 Chapter overview 6
2.2 From sound to word 6
2.3 From word to sentence 10
2.4 Theoretical views 13
2.5 First language vs second language acquisition 18
2.6 Summing up 26
Key concepts 26
Self‐assessment questions 27
Discussion questions 28
Exercises / Project ideas 28
References 30
Further reading and viewing 32
3 Language Learning Contexts 35
3.1 Chapter overview 36
3.2 Naturalistic contexts 36
3.3 Instructed learning / Instructed second language acquisition 41
3.4 Summing up 55
Key concepts 55
Self‐assessment questions 55
Discussion questions 56
Exercises / Project ideas 57
References 57
Further reading and viewing 60
4 Theoretical Perspectives: Past and Present 63
4.1 Chapter overview 64
4.2 Contrastive analysis 65
4.3 Error analysis 68
4.4 Universal grammar 71
4.5 The monitor model / Input hypothesis 74
4.6 The sociocultural approach 78
4.7 Summing up 81
Key concepts 81
Self-assessment questions 82
Discussion questions 83
Exercises / Project ideas 83
References 84
Further reading and viewing 86
5 Theoretical Perspectives: Cognitive Approaches 89
5.1 Chapter overview 90
5.2 Information processing / cognitive approach 90
5.3 Skill acquisition theory 92
5.4 The interaction approach 93
5.5 Input processing 101
5.6 Emergentism and usage‐based approaches 102
5.7 Summing up 107
Key concepts 107
Self-assessment questions 108
Discussion questions 109
Exercises / Project ideas 110
References 110
Further reading and viewing 113
6 Teaching Approaches and Instructional Issues 115
6.1 Chapter overview 116
6.2 Historical and current perspectives on language teaching 117
6.3 Classroom instructional issues 129
6.4 Summing up 144
Key concepts 145
Self‐assessment questions 145
Discussion questions 146
Exercises / Project ideas 147
References 147
Further reading and viewing 150
7 Second Language Development 153
7.1 Chapter overview 154
7.2 Common processes and influences 155
7.3 L2 development across linguistic subfields 162
7.4 Investigating learner language: Language corpora 180
7.5 Summing up 181
Key concepts 181
Self‐assessment questions 182
Discussion questions 183
Exercises / Project ideas 183
References 183
Further reading and viewing 190
8 The Age Factor 193
8.1 Chapter overview 194
8.2 The critical period hypothesis 194
8.3 Abnormal instances: Children raised in isolation 198
8.4 Empirical studies 199
8.5 Exceptional cases 210
8.6 Summing up 211
Key concepts 212
Self‐assessment questions 212
Discussion questions 213
Exercises / Project ideas 214
References 214
Further reading and viewing 216
9 Individual Differences 219
9.1 Chapter overview 220
9.2 Intelligence 220
9.3 Language learning aptitude 222
9.4 Attitudes and motivation 228
9.5 Personality 234
9.6 Learning style and cognitive style 236
9.7 Learning strategies 240
9.8 Summing up 243
Key concepts 243
Self-assessment questions 244
Discussion questions 245
Exercises / Project ideas 246
References 246
Further reading and viewing 252
10 Bilingualism and Multilingualism 255
10.1 Chapter overview 256
10.2 Bilingual development 260
10.3 Bilingual lexical representation and lexical access 267
10.4 Bilingual cognition 273
10.5 Multilingualism 274
10.6 Summing up 276
Key concepts 276
Self‐assessment questions 277
Discussion questions 278
Exercises / Project ideas 278
References 278
Further reading and viewing 283
11 Concluding Words 285
11.1 Conclusion 285
11.2 Epilogue 286
Glossary 289
Index 301
