Table of Contents

1. Second language learning: key concepts and issues



1. Introduction



2. What makes for a good theory?



3. Views on the nature of language



4. The language learning process



5. Views of the language learner



6. Links with social practice



7. Conclusion



8. References



2. The recent history of second language learning research



1. Introduction



2. The 1950s and 1960s



3. The 1970s



4. The 1980s: a turning point



5. Continuities and new themes



6. Second language learning timeline



7. References



3. Linguistics and language learning: the Universal Grammar approach



1. Introduction



2. Why a Universal Grammar?



3. What does Universal Grammar consist of?



4. Universal Grammar and L1 acquisition



5. Universal Grammar and L2 acquisition



6. Evaluation of Universal Grammar-based approaches to L2 acquisition



7. References



4. Cognitive approaches to second language learning (1): general learning mechanisms



1. Introduction



2. Input-based emergentist perspectives



3. Processing-based perspectives



4. Evaluation of general cognitive approaches



5. References



5. Cognitive approaches to second language learning (2): Memory systems, explicit knowledge, and skill learning



1. Introduction



2. Memory systems and their role in L2 learning



3. Explicit knowledge, information processing and skill acquisition



4. Awareness and attention in L2 acquisition



5. Working memory and L2 learning



6. Evaluation of cognitive approaches (2): memory systems, explicit knowledge, and skill learning



7. References



6. Interaction in second language learning



1. Introduction



2. The revised Interaction Hypothesis (Long, 1996): an appeal to cognitive theory



3. Negotiation of meaning and the learning of target L2 structures and vocabulary



4. The role of feedback during oral interaction



5. The problem of "noticing"



6. L2 development in computer-mediated interaction



7. Characteristics of learners and of tasks



8. Evaluation



9. References



7. Meaning-based perspectives on second language learning



1. Introduction



2. Early functionalist studies of second language learning



3. Functionalism beyond the case study: the "learner varieties" approach



4. "Time talk": developing the means to talk about time



5. The Aspect Hypothesis



6. Cognitive linguistics and "thinking for speaking"



7. Second language pragmatics



8. Evaluation



9. References



8. Sociocultural perspectives on second language learning



1. Introduction



2. Sociocultural theory



3. Applications of sociocultural theory to second language learning



4. Evaluation



5. References



9. Sociolinguistic perspectives



1. Introduction



2. Sociolinguistically driven variability in second language use



3. Second language socialization



4. Conversation analysis and second language learning



5. Communities of practice and situated learning



6. The language learner as social being: L2 identity, agency and investment



7. Evaluation: the scope and achievement of sociolinguistic inquiry



8. References



10. Integrating theoretical perspectives on second language learning


10.1. Introduction

10.2. The MOGUL framework

10.3. Dynamic Systems Theory (DST)

10.4. Conclusion

10.5. References


11. Conclusion



1. One theory or many?



2. Main achievements of second language learning research



3. Future directions



4. Second language research and language education