Innovative Research and Practices in Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism


Book Description

This volume brings together theoretical perspectives and empirical studies in second language (L2) acquisition and bilingualism and discusses their implications for L2 pedagogy. The book is organized into three sections that focus on prominent linguistic and cognitive theories and together provide a compelling set of state-of-the-art works. Part I consists of studies that give rise to innovative applications for second language teaching and learning and Part II discusses how findings from cognitive research can inform practices for L2 teaching and learning. Following these two sections, Part III provides a summative commentary of the theories explored in the volume along with suggestions for future research directions. The book is intended to act as a valuable reference for scholars, applied linguists, specialists in pedagogy, language educators, and anyone wishing to gain an overview of current issues in SLA and bilingualism.




Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation in Bilingual and Second Language Teacher Education


Book Description

The book provides a comprehensive overview of international pedagogical approaches, research, innovation experiences, and best practices in bilingual and second language education to enhance bilingual teacher education programs. The book clearly outlines the need for an interdisciplinary and interconnected approach to effecting successful bilingual teacher education programs. Featuring practical examples from a wide range of geographic contexts throughout, the volume comprises diverse pedagogical approaches to bilingual and second language teacher education, bilingual and plurilingual education, storytelling, digital storytelling and digital technology, and content and language integrated learning (CLIL), including methodological strategies in bilingual education as well as quality standards in CLIL syllabus design assessment. The book concludes by reflecting on the lessons learned from research, and identifies future directions for bilingual education programs and bilingual teacher education. The volume will be of interest to students and scholars in bilingual and second language education, bilingual teacher education, CLIL, as well as educators and stakeholders in bilingual, CLIL, and English teacher education degree programs.




Introducing Second Language Acquisition


Book Description

Introducing Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives and Practices represents a clear and concise introduction to the main concepts, issues, and debates in second language acquisition studies aimed specifically at undergraduates encountering the topic for the first time. Follows six fictitious language learners throughout the text whose stories serve to introduce various concepts and issues Contains specific chapters on first language acquisition and bilingualism, as well as explicit references to the most recent and important research Covers key topics including acquisition contexts, theoretical perspectives, language teaching methods, second language development, and individual differences (such as age, aptitude, and motivation) Grabs student attention with lighthearted cartoons that illustrate and reinforce key ideas Features a full range of pedagogical tools to aid student learning, including “language learning in practice” textboxes; bolded new terms defined in the margins; an end-of-book glossary; self-assessment and classroom discussion questions; exercise and project ideas; and further online viewing sections




Second Language Acquisition Myths


Book Description

This volume was conceived as a first book in SLA for advanced undergraduate or introductory master’s courses that include education majors, foreign language education majors, and English majors. It’s also an excellent resource for practicing teachers. Both the research and pedagogy in this book are based on the newest research in the field of second language acquisition. It is not the goal of this book to address every SLA theory or teach research methodology. It does however address the myths and questions that non-specialist teacher candidates have about language learning. Steven Brown is the co-author of the introductory applied linguistics textbook Understanding Language Structure, Interaction, and Variation textbook (and workbook). The myths challenged in this book are: § Children learn languages quickly and easily while adults are ineffective in comparison. § A true bilingual is someone who speaks two languages perfectly. § You can acquire a language simply through listening or reading. § Practice makes perfect. § Language students learn (and retain) what they are taught. § Language learners always benefit from correction. § Individual differences are a major, perhaps the major, factor in SLA. § Language acquisition is the individual acquisition of grammar.




Understanding Variability in Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism, and Cognition


Book Description

This collection brings together linguistic, psychological, and sociological perspectives reflecting on the relationships and interactions of the multilayered factors impacting second language development and cognitive competence. The book advocates a system approach as a counterpoint to existing scholarship, which has tended to focus on a small set of variables. The 13 chapters demonstrate the ways in which cognitive and linguistic development are intrinsically linked, occurring within a nested structure of multiple levels: individual neuro-cognitive systems and processes, individual engagement with the social world, and the wider social and institutional environments and cultural contexts affecting the belief systems and linguistic conventions of social groups. The volume begins by outlining the theoretical and methodological foundations before moving into a more focused look at the interplay of these different variables at the macro, meso, and micro levels. A final section features two commentary chapters from linguistics and psychology, respectively, synthesizing insights from earlier chapters and situating the collection within broader scholarship on linguistic and cognitive development, theoretical and methodological implications, and discussions of avenues for future empirical research. This book will be of particular interest to scholars in second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, cognition, psychology, and sociology.




Children's Second Language Learning


Book Description

This monograph discusses the state of the art in child second language acquisition research. It is of particular interest to teachers, administrators, and others concerned with educating children whose first language is not English. The first chapter deals with preschool second language acquisition. It examines processes of acquiring the sound system, the meaning system, the rules for language use, the developmental stages in acquisition, and the differences between first and second language learning in preschool children. Chapter 2 treats second language acquisition in the classroom. It examines the nature of the school experience and how the language of the school differs from language used outside the classroom. Bilingual education programs in Canada and in the United States are compared and various types of U.S. bilingual programs are discussed in order to specify the various instructional and interactional features that differentiate bilingual classrooms. The third chapter describes ways in which researchers have investigated second language acquisition. The major research areas are studies of the second language-learning process, the question of language assessment, and research on the effectiveness of bilingual education. Each chapter contains suggestions for further reading. (Author/AMH)




Contact, Community, and Connections: Current Approaches to Spanish in Multilingual Populations


Book Description

This edited volume provides state of the art research on developing areas of Spanish in contact with other languages. This manuscript is unique in its broad yet coherent approach to the study of Spanish in bilingual contexts by investigating current issues in the field through well-designed research and innovative analyses. In addition, this book concludes with research on how languages in contact are reflected in individuals in educational settings as well as insights on how to teach bilinguals raised in contact with English and Spanish. This manuscript is divided into three major themes that focus on the overall issues of Spanish in bilingual contexts: 1. The first section, titled "Language and Identity," is composed of four chapters that focus on the connection between language and identity in unique settings. 2. The second section of the manuscript is titled "Language and Dialectal Contact" and is composed of six chapters that analyze the dialectal and linguistic changes in languages in contact in a variety of settings. 3. The final section is titled "Language in Educational Settings" and consists of four chapters with a focus on heritage speakers and second language students of Spanish in different classroom settings as well as abroad. This volume contributes original research in these areas in a way so as to fill valuable gaps in the current knowledge in the field especially in the innovative ways of approaching areas such as teaching heritage learners, understanding diachronic and synchronic dialectal and linguistic changes as well as innovations in language use, and how language contributes to the formation of identity.




Early Years Second Language Education


Book Description

The age for early language learning has dropped dramatically in the past decade to include children under 6 years old, yet very little published research exists to support the implementation of such programmes. Drawing on a synthesis of theory, research and practice, this edited volume makes an innovative contribution to literature concerning language education for very young children. It explores language learning in a wide range of geographical contexts with reference to second and foreign language learning, bilingualism and plurilingualism with children under the age of 6 years old. Chapters present discussion around teacher education, policy-making, international case studies, school and home-based projects, code switching and language use, and methodologies and approaches. Early Years Second Language Education: International perspectives on theory and practice will be essential reading for researchers, academics, teacher trainers, and post-graduate students in the fields of early years education, foreign and second language education, language didactics and teacher education.




Early Instructed Second Language Acquisition


Book Description

This book examines which factors lead to success in foreign language learning at an early age in instructional settings. The studies investigate learners aged between three and ten, their parents and teachers, and focus on the development of speaking and reading skills and how attitudes and motivation impact on the teaching and learning process.




Research in Second Language Acquisition


Book Description

Research in Second Language Acquisition: Empirical Evidence Across Languages provides an overview of current research within the Processability Theory framework (Pienemann 1998; 2005). The articles in this volume combine a more theoretical approach in order to further extend the theory and studies utilizing PT to further investigate bilingual language acquisition and language development in natural and institutional settings. Taking these different aspects into consideration, this volume is organised in two parts. Part 1 Second Language Processing: Contributions to Theory Development contains a number of papers discussing the inclusion of further theoretical aspects into PT, focusing on English as a second language. In Part 2 Second Language Grammars across Languages, PT is applied to a number of typologically different languages and contexts.