Introducing Second Language Acquisition Perspectives and Practices

by Hummel, Kirsten M.

• ISBN13: 9781119554134
• ISBN10: 1119554136
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2021-02-24
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

An up-to-date overview of second language acquisition, designed to engage 21^st-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.

Author Biography

KIRSTEN M. HUMMEL is Professor in the Department of Languages, Linguistics, and Translation at Laval University, Quebec, Canada. She is the editor of An Introduction to Language, Fourth Canadian Edition (with V. Fromkin, R. Rodman and N. Hyams, 2010), has published across books and journals in several areas of second language acquisition, and has taught as a visiting professor in Eastern Europe and Central Africa.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments xi

1 Introduction 1

2 First Language Acquisition 5

2.0 Chapter overview 6

2.1 From sound to word 6

2.2 From word to sentence 10

2.3 Theoretical views 13

2.4 First language vs second language acquisition 18

2.5 Summing up 25

Key concepts 26

Self-assessment questions 26

Discussion questions 27

Exercises/Project ideas 28

Further reading and viewing 30

References 31

3 Language Learning Contexts 35

3.0 Chapter overview 36

3.1 Naturalistic contexts 36

3.2 Instructed learning 41

3.3 Summing up 52

Key concepts 52

Self-assessment questions 53

Discussion questions 54

Exercises/Project ideas 54

Further reading and viewing 55

References 55

4 Theoretical Perspectives: Past and Present 59

4.0 Chapter overview 60

4.1 Contrastive analysis 61

4.2 Error analysis 64

4.3 Universal Grammar 67

4.4 The Monitor Model/Input Hypothesis 70

4.5 The Sociocultural approach 91

4.6 Summing up 93

Key concepts 94

Self-assessment questions 95

Discussion questions 96

Exercises/Project ideas 97

Further reading and viewing 97

References 99

 

5  Theoretical Perspectives: Cognitive Approaches

 5.0 Chapter overview

 5.1 Information processing/cognitive approach 75

 5.2 Skill acquisition theory

 5.3 The interaction approach

 5.4  Input processing 85

 5.5 Emergentism and usage-based approaches 86

6 Teaching Approaches and Instructional Issues 105

6.0 Chapter overview 106

6.1 Historical and current perspectives on language teaching 106

6.2 Classroom instructional issues 118

6.3 Summing up 129

Key concepts 130

Self-assessment questions 130

Discussion questions 131

Exercises/Project ideas 132

Further reading and viewing 132

References 133

7 Second Language Development 137

7.0 Chapter overview 138

7.1 Common processes and influences 138

7.2 L2 development across linguistic sub-fields 144

7.3 Investigating learner language: Language corpora 159

7.4 Summing up 159

Key concepts 160

Self-assessment questions 160

Discussion questions 161

Exercises/Project ideas 162

Further reading and viewing 162

References 163

8 The Age Factor 169

8.0 Chapter overview 170

8.1 The critical period hypothesis 170

8.2 Abnormal instances: Children raised in isolation 173

8.3 Empirical studies 174

8.4 Exceptional cases 184

8.5 Summing up 185

Key concepts 186

Self-assessment questions 186

Discussion questions 187

Exercises/Project ideas 188

Further reading and viewing 188

References 189

9 Individual Differences 193

9.0 Chapter overview 194

9.1 Intelligence 194

9.2 Language learning aptitude 195

9.3 Attitudes and motivation 201

9.4 Personality 205

9.5 Learning style and cognitive style 208

9.6 Learning strategies 211

9.7 Summing up 214

Key concepts 214

Self-assessment questions 215

Discussion questions 216

Exercises/Project ideas 216

Further reading and viewing 217

References 217

10 Bilingualism and Multilingualism 223

10.0 Chapter overview 224

10.1 Who is a bilingual? Definitions of bilingualism and multilingualism 224

10.2 Bilingual development 228

10.3 Bilingual lexical representation and lexical access 234

10.4 Bilingual cognition

10.5 Multilingualism 241

10.6 Summing up 242

Key concepts 243

Self-assessment questions 243

Discussion questions 244

Exercises/Project ideas 244

Further reading and viewing 245

References 246

11 Concluding Words 251

Epilogue 252

Glossary 255

Index 267