Introducing Second Language Acquisition

by Muriel Saville-Troike

• ISBN13: 9780521794077
• ISBN10: 0521794072
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-19
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Written for students encountering the topic for the first time, this is a clear and practical introduction to second language acquisition (SLA). It explains in non-technical language how a second language is acquired; what the second language learner needs to know; and why some learners are more successful than others. The textbook introduces in a step-by-step fashion a range of fundamental concepts such as SLA in adults and children, in formal and informal learning contexts, and in diverse socio-cultural settings and takes an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging students to consider SLA from linguistic, psychological and social perspectives. Each chapter contains a list of key terms, a summary, and a range of graded exercises suitable for self-testing or class discussion. Providing a solid foundation in SLA, this book is set to become the leading introduction to the field for students of linguistics, psychology, and education, and trainee language teachers.

Author Biography

Muriel Saville-Troike is Regent's Professor of English at the University of Arizona

Table of Contents

About the book	vii
Acknowledgements	viii
Introducing Second Language Acquisition	1	(6)
What is SLA?	2	(1)
What is a second language?	3	(1)
What is a first language?	4	(1)
Diversity in learning and learners	5	(1)
Summary	5	(1)
Activities	6	(1)
Foundations of Second Language Acquisition	7	(24)
The world of second languages	8	(4)
The nature of language learning	12	(4)
L1 versus L2 learning	16	(5)
The logical problem of language learning	21	(3)
Frameworks for SLA	24	(5)
Summary	29	(1)
Activities	29	(1)
Further reading	30	(1)
The linguistics of Second Language Acquisition	31	(36)
The nature of language	32	(1)
Early approaches to SLA	33	(13)
Universal Grammar	46	(6)
Functional approaches	52	(10)
Summary	62	(1)
Activities	63	(1)
Further reading	64	(3)
The psychology of Second Language Acquisition	67	(32)
Languages and the brain	68	(5)
Learning processes	73	(8)
Differences in learners	81	(12)
The effects of multilingualism	93	(1)
Summary	94	(1)
Activities	95	(1)
Further reading	96	(3)
Social contexts of Second Language Acquisition	99	(34)
Communicative competence	100	(1)
Microsocial factors	101	(18)
Macrosocial factors	119	(11)
Summary	130	(1)
Activities	130	(2)
Further reading	132	(1)
Acquiring knowledge for L2 use	133	(40)
Competence and use	134	(1)
Academic vs. interpersonal competence	135	(2)
Components of language knowledge	137	(16)
Receptive activities	153	(9)
Productive activities	162	(7)
Summary	169	(1)
Activities	170	(1)
Further reading	171	(2)
L2 learning and teaching	173	(8)
Integrating perspectives	174	(5)
Approaching near-native competence	179	(1)
Implications for L2 learning and teaching	180	(1)
Summary	180	(1)
Answer guide to questions for self-study	181	(4)
Glossary	185	(12)
References	197	(8)
Index	205