Theories in Second Language Acquisition: An Introduction

The second edition of Theories in Second Language Acquisition seeks to build on the strengths of the first edition by surveying the major theories currently used in second language acquisition research. This volume is an ideal introductory text for undergraduate and graduate students in SLA and language teaching. Each chapter focuses on a single theory, written by a leading scholar in the field in an easy-to-follow style – a basic foundational description of the theory, relevant data or research models used with this theory, common misunderstandings, and a sample study from the field to show the theory in practice. This text is designed to provide a consistent and coherent presentation for those new to the field who seek basic understanding of theories that underlie contemporary SLA research. Researchers will also find the book useful as a "quick guide" to theoretical work outside their respective domains.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction: The Nature of Theories Bill VanPatten & Jessica Williams 2. Early Theories in SLA Bill VanPatten & Jessica Williams 3. Linguistic Theory, Universal Grammar and Second Language Acquisition Lydia White 4. One Functional Approach to SLA: The Concept-Oriented Approach Kathleen Bardovi-Harlig 5. Usage-Based Approaches to SLA Nick Ellis and Stefanie Wulff 6. Skill Acquisition Theory Robert DeKeyser 7. Input Processing in Adult SLA Bill VanPatten 8. The Declarative/Procedural Model: A Neurobiologically-Motivated Theory of First and Second Language Michael T. Ullman 9. Processability Theory Manfred Pienemann and Anke Lenzing 10. Input, Interaction and Output in Second Language Acquisition Susan Gass and Alison Mackey 11. Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Development James P. Lantolf, Steven L. Thorne, and Matthew E. Poehner 12. Complexity Theory Diane Larsen-Freeman 13. Second Language Learning Explained?: SLA Across Ten Contemporary Theories Lourdes Ortega

About the Author :
Bill VanPatten is Professor of Spanish and Second Language Acquisition at Michigan State University. Jessica Williams is Professor of Linguisics at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Review :
"Understanding White Privilege presents an assumed white reader with a workbook of sorts, a guide to accepting his or her own racial privilege and using that awareness to effect real change...Despite the text's explicit address to a white reader, there is much here that will benefit people of color as well, particularly those teaching in predominantly white academic environments...Kendall's book comes close to meriting the label "required reading" for anyone who aspires to a radically different racial future."--African American Review 2009, Volume 43, Number 1, 215-216