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Key Questions in Second Language Acquisition

Key Questions in Second Language Acquisition

Key Questions in Second Language Acquisition

An Introduction
Bill VanPatten
Megan Smith, Mississippi State University
Alessandro G. Benati, The University of Hong Kong
December 2019
Temporarily unavailable - available from TBC
Hardback
9781108486668

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    This highly accessible introductory textbook carefully explores the main issues that have driven the field of second language acquisition research. Intended for students with little or no background in linguistics or psycholinguistics, it explains important linguistic concepts, and how and why they are relevant to second language acquisition. Topics are presented via a 'key questions' structure that enables the reader to understand how these questions have motivated research in the field, and the problems to which researchers are seeking solutions. It provides a complete package for any introductory course on second language acquisition.

    • Written in a clear and reader-friendly style, necessary terms are clearly defined and technical jargon is avoided
    • Readers are asked to periodically stop and consider a particular issue before continuing within each chapter
    • Research questions are traced to their origin by using both historic and contemporary case studies as model examples, allowing students to see the 'bigger picture'

    Product details

    December 2019
    Hardback
    9781108486668
    234 pages
    253 × 195 × 14 mm
    0.65kg
    5 b/w illus.
    Temporarily unavailable - available from TBC

    Table of Contents

    • 1. What are the origins of second language acquisition as a research field?
    • 2. What does development look like?
    • 3. What are the roles of input and output?
    • 4. What is the initial state?
    • 5. Can L2 learners become native-like?
    • 6. Does instruction make a difference?
    • 7. What role does explicit learning play in acquisition?
    • 8. What are individual differences and how do they affect L2 acquisition?
      Authors
    • Bill VanPatten

      Bill VanPatten was formerly Professor of Spanish and Second Language Studies at Michigan State University and is now an independent scholar. He has had a long and distinguished academic career and has published widely in the fields of second language acquisition and second language teaching.

    • Megan Smith , Mississippi State University

      Megan Smith is an Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University. Her main research interests are in second language acquisition, particularly L2 syntax and psycholinguistics.

    • Alessandro G. Benati , The University of Hong Kong

      Alessandro Benati is Director of CAES at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He is known for his work in second language acquisition and second language teaching. He has published ground-breaking research on the pedagogical framework called Processing Instruction. He is co-editor of a new online series for Cambridge University Press, a member of the REF Panel 2021, and Honorary Professor at York St John University.