Product Description

The Handbook of Second Language Acquisition presents an integrated discussion of key, and sometimes controversial, issues in second language acquisition research.

• Discusses 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.
  
• Includes contributions from twenty–seven of the world′s leading scholars.
  
• Provides an invaluable resource for all students and scholars of human cognition, including those in linguistics, psychology, applied linguistics, ESL, foreign languages, and cognitive science.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #445083 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 904 pages

Review
"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

From the Back Cover
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.

About the Author
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.

Customer Reviews

An excellent book
As a linguist I highly recommend this book. It goes into great detail about the psychology of language learning, and covers many things that I've had to learn by trial and error over the years I've spent in this field. If I had had this book ten or more years ago, it'd have made things a lot easier! A must-have for the bookshelf of any serious linguist.