The Handbook of Second Language Acquisition

The Handbook of Second Language Acquisition presents an integrated discussion of key, and sometimes controversial, issues in second language acquisition (SLA) research. Written by 27 of the world’s leading scholars, the chapters reflect the diversity and technicality that have come to characterize SLA research. Topics discussed include the biological and cognitive underpinnings of SLA; mechanisms, processes, and constraints on SLA; the level of ultimate attainment; research methods; and the status of SLA as a cognitive science. This volume is an invaluable resource for all students and scholars of human cognition, including those in linguistics, psychology, applied linguistics, ESL, foreign languages, and cognitive science.

List of Contributors. Acknowledgments. I: Overview:. 1. The Scope of Inquiry and Goals of SLA: Catherine J. Doughty and Michael H. Long. II: Capacity and Representation:. 2. On the Nature of Interlanguage Representation: Universal Grammar in the Second Language: Lydia White. 3. The Radical Middle: Nativism without Universal Grammar: William O’Grady. 4. Constructions, Chunking, and Connectionism: The Emergence of Second Language Structure: Nick C. Ellis. 5. Cognitive Processes in Second Language Learners and Bilinguals: The Development of Lexical and Conceptual Representations: Judith F. Kroll and Gretchen Sunderman. 6. Near–Nativeness: Antonella Sorace. III: Environments for SLA :. 7. Language Socialization in SLA: Karen Ann Watson–Gegeo and Sarah Nielsen. 8. Social Context: Jeff Siegel. 9. Input and Interaction: Susan M. Gass. 10. Instructed SLA: Constraints, Compensation, and Enhancement: Catherine J. Doughty. IV: Processes in SLA :. 11. Implicit and Explicit Learning: Robert M. DeKeyser. 12. Incidental and Intentional Learning: Jan H. Hulstijn. 13. Automaticity and Second Languages: Norman Segalowitz. 14. Variation: Suzanne Romaine. 15. Cross–linguistic Influence: Terence Odlin. 16. Stabilization and Fossilization in Interlanguage Development: Michael H. Long. V: Biological and Psychological Constraints:. 17. Maturational Constraints in SLA: Kenneth Hyltenstam and Niclas Abrahamsson. 18. Individual Differences in Second Language Learning: Zoltán Dörnyei and Peter Skehan. 19. Attention and Memory during SLA: Peter Robinson. 20. Language Processing Capacity: Manfred Pienemann. VI: Research Methods:. 21. Defining and Measuring SLA: John Norris and Lourdes Ortega. 22. Data Collection in SLA Research: Craig Chaudron. VII: The State of SLA :. 23. SLA Theory: Construction and Assessment: Kevin R. Gregg. 24. SLA and Cognitive Science: Michael H. Long and Catherine J. Doughty. Index.

Catherine J. Doughty is Associate Research Director for SLA at the Center for the Advanced Study of Language at the University of Maryland. Michael H. Long is Professor of SLA and Director of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Maryland.

"Catherine Doughty and Michael Long have emerged as two of the most knowledgeable, authoritative, and sanest voices in the current contentious debates over truth claims in second language acquisition. Their stewardship of the chapters in this volume – and authorship of two articles plus an overview and an interesting afterword that treats SLA as cognitive science – has produced some very strong critical summaries of several central ideas in these debates. The range and depth of many of the chapters is great and I have learned much from revisiting subjects I thought I knew well, such as transfer, fossilization, and individual variation." Larry Selinker, New York University "Arguing that SLA research should be viewed as a branch of cognitive science, the editors have served up a feast for, and about, the mind. This Handbook will be read, consulted, and referred to again and again." Diane Larsen–Freeman, University of Michigan " The Handbook of Second Language Acquisition lives up to its name: it provides a remarkable overview of the field, whose future the editors intelligently advocate to be an integral constituent of cognitive science. A rainbow of topics and theoretical stances promises much stimulation to a wide readership. The volume will no doubt serve as a highly appreciated resource for novice and expert alike." Bonnie D. Schwartz, University of Hawaii "Highly recommended." Choice