Key Questions in Second Language Acquisition: An Introduction

by Bill VanPatten, Megan Smith, Alessandro G. Benati

Now in its second edition, this highly accessible introductory textbook establishes the fundamentals driving the field of second language (L2) acquisition research, including its historical foundations. Intended for the novice in the field with no background in linguistics or psycholinguistics, it explains important linguistic concepts, and how and why they are relevant to second language acquisition. Topics are presented via a 'key questions' structure that enables the reader to understand how these questions have motivated research in the field, and the problems to which researchers are seeking solutions. This edition has been fully updated to incorporate new research, with a new chapter focusing on language transfer, and new sections on the growing field of third and subsequent language acquisition, and how the acquisition of phonology reflects the key questions. With discussion questions and project ideas as well as a glossary, this is a complete package for an introductory course on second language acquisition.

Genres: Linguistics, Language, Education, Nonfiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2025

Reviews

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that. It's been a while since I read an actual work on linguistics and being prompted to think about what experimental set-ups will yield what kinds of knowledge about the whole process of language acquisition was fun and fascinating.

The book is very clear and can be read with very little prior linguistic knowledge. Even if you do have some relevant knowledge, there's plenty to get you thinking. The organisation by key questions is relevant and helpful.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this so I could keep fighting with people on FB about Duolingo and the lack of Comprehensible Input involved in endlessly translating sentences back and forth between native and target languages.

[Zoe Evangeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

my favorite work that i've read so far on SLA! very fascinating and i learned a lot, but it was SO dense