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Conditions for Second Language Learning: Introduction to a General Theory
Spolsky here examines the conditions under which languages are learned, and how learning related to teaching. His theory, set out in the form of a preference model, emphasizes the need to be precise and clear on the nature of the goals and outcomes of learning, and to recognize the complexity
of the concept of "knowing a second language."
of the concept of "knowing a second language."
284 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 1989
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About the author
Bernard Spolsky
36 books3 followersBernard Spolsky was educated at Wellington College and Victoria University and received a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Montreal.
He has been the head of the English Department, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Director of the Language Policy Research Center at Bar-Ilan University, Israel, where he is currently Professor of English.
Bernard Spolsky has conducted and published research in language testing, second language learning, computers in the humanities, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics and language policy. He has been President of TESOL, held a Guggenheim fellowship and a Mellon fellowship, and has been Senior Research Fellow at the National Foreign Language Center in Washington.
He has written several books for Oxford University Press: Conditions for Second Language Learning, Measured Words and Sociolinguistics.
He has been the head of the English Department, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Director of the Language Policy Research Center at Bar-Ilan University, Israel, where he is currently Professor of English.
Bernard Spolsky has conducted and published research in language testing, second language learning, computers in the humanities, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics and language policy. He has been President of TESOL, held a Guggenheim fellowship and a Mellon fellowship, and has been Senior Research Fellow at the National Foreign Language Center in Washington.
He has written several books for Oxford University Press: Conditions for Second Language Learning, Measured Words and Sociolinguistics.
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September 22, 2015
As stated in his conclusion, "I want to account for learning rather than explain how to teach." Mission accomplished. The preference theory presented by Bernard Spolsky offers a broad spectrum of conditions (either required or typical) that are often satisfied (either absolutely or to some degree) during the language learning process. This is a thorough introduction to the world of SLA and presents an aggregate of studies and their conclusions in the field up to the late 1980s.
Recommended for foreign language teachers as an "Empathy Guidebook" to better understand what factors may be directly/indirectly impacting the learning of individual students; recommended for foreign language students as a point of reflection on their own learning, and context.
Recommended for foreign language teachers as an "Empathy Guidebook" to better understand what factors may be directly/indirectly impacting the learning of individual students; recommended for foreign language students as a point of reflection on their own learning, and context.
Displaying 1 of 1 review