Mind Matters in SLA

Clare Wright editor Martha Young-Scholten editor Thorsten Piske editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Multilingual Matters

Published:21st Sep '18

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Mind Matters in SLA cover

An extensive collection of cutting-edge research on cognitive and psycholinguistics

This book examines key issues in theories of what language is and what happens in the mind during second language acquisition. Chapters provide cutting-edge insights and new empirical findings spanning formal and cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics and second language development, to understand the role of learner-internal factors in SLA.

This book examines key issues in theories of what language is and what happens in the mind during second language acquisition (SLA), inspiring readers to think in new and exciting ways about language learning and teaching. Chapters, written by both established and rising star scholars, provide cutting-edge insights and new empirical findings on major topics of formal and cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics and second language development, and offer a coherent, wide-ranging, reader-friendly examination of learner-internal factors in SLA. The first section of the book focuses on issues that are pertinent to our understanding of language acquisition, particularly in relation to syntax. The second section comprises empirical chapters on syntax, the lexicon, phonetics/phonology and language production in English and other languages. These chapters refer to theories and frameworks from within SLA to enable the reader to grasp the key questions and issues that are currently relevant. The final section focuses on research relating to how second language (L2) learners make transitions from one stage of development to the next; it covers state-of-the-art psycholinguistic research concerning how L2 acquisition occurs in real time, and includes discussion of models of L2 development both in and out of the classroom.

This book provides an accessible background on linguistics, language acquisition and experimental methodologies. Each chapter presents new empirical data and the volume will appeal to second language specialists, as well as a general audience. Its fine writing and broad range of topics – from language evolution to psycholinguistics – make it a welcome contribution to the field.

* Julia Herschensohn, University of Washington, USA *

This book provides language teachers and applied linguists with a rich, comprehensive and carefully arranged smörgåsbord of theoretical issues relevant for understanding the mismatch between what teachers teach and what learners learn. Even the more challenging aspects of some topics are worth the reader’s careful attention and will pay rich dividends.

* Michael Sharwood Smith, University of Edinburgh, UK *

This is a highly recommended volume for three reasons: 1. It covers both property and transition theories and focuses on language representation and processing. 2. The chapters have been authored by the researchers involved in the reported research. 3. Chapters discuss teaching-related issues and make for invaluable reading for teachers and students alike.

* Andreas Rohde, University of Cologne, Germa

ISBN: 9781788921619

Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 21mm

Weight: 645g

312 pages