Second Language Acquisition in Action: Principles from Practice

Despite the key role played by second language acquisition (SLA) courses in linguistics, teacher education and language teaching degrees, participants often struggle to bridge the gap between SLA theories and their many applications in the classroom. In order to overcome the 'transfer' problem from theory to practice, Andrea Nava and Luciana Pedrazzini present SLA principles through the actions and words of teachers and learners. Second Language Acquisition in Action identifies eight important SLA principles and involves readers in an 'experiential' approach which enables them to explore these principles 'in action'. Each chapter is structured around three stages: experience and reflection; conceptualisation; and restructuring and planning. Discussion questions and tasks represent the core of the book. These help readers in the process of 'experiencing' SLA research and provide them with opportunities to try their hands at different areas of language teachers' professional expertise. Aimed at those on applied linguistics MA courses, TESOL/EFL trainees and in-service teachers, Second Language Acquisition in Action features: · Key Questions at the start of each chapter · Data-based tasks to foster reflection and to help bridge the gap between theory and practice · Audiovisual extracts of lessons on an accompanying website · Further Reading suggestions at the end of each chapter

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Form, meaning and use 2. Comprehensible input 3. Input noticing and processing 4. Implicit and explicit knowledge 5. Interactive and Corrective feedback 6. Output production Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Andrea Nava is a lecturer at the University of Milan, Italy, where he teaches English Language and Second Language Acquisition and Teaching. Luciana Pedrazzini is a lecturer at the University of Milan, Italy, where she teaches English Language and Second Language Acquisition and Teaching.

Review :
This book will be of interest to a wide readership, from students in applied linguistics courses to in-service teachers and instructors ... The value of this volume is not only in how SLA tenets are unpacked by the authors, but also in the structure of the volume itself, which facilitates readers' reflections through targeted tasks and questions, as well as dedicated sections in each chapter which further explore SLA principles through the lens of practice ... Overall, Nava and Pedrazzini have packed crucial theories, practices and resources into a book that will be useful to many SLA learners all over the world. The readability of the book is helped by the tables and graphs spread throughout and by the clear text ... I look forward to drawing on the book's ideas during workshops for language teachers in various places and at a range of learner levels. In particular the reflective tasks will be useful. The SLA principles presented in Second Language Acquisition in Action have been thoroughly investigated and thoughtfully presented with the purpose of making it easy for readers to understand how these principles can assist teachers with their language instruction. I highly recommend this book to teachers for its detailed review of SLA theories and also for its success in providing strategies for transferring these principles to the language classroom. I would also recommend it to those who develop programs and create syllabi. I have been persuaded by Nava and Pedrazzini to think differently and experiment with new practices in my classroom. A highly valuable resource in language teacher education. What is exceptional about it is that it offers a wide range of tasks and activities that will foster greater understanding of principle derived from SLA, with a focus on themes that are often a source of considerable controversy. Well structured, interesting and pleasantly written. It is a great resource for language teachers and language teaching trainees.