Crosslinguistic Influence and Second Language Learning

by Kevin McManus

Crosslinguistic Influence and Second Language Learning provides a comprehensive overview of what is currently known about prior language knowledge and experience in second language learning. Three bodies of research are critically reviewed to achieve this (i) theories of language learning that attribute critical roles to prior experience in explaining second language development, (ii) empirical studies of second language learning that have investigated roles for crosslinguistic influence, and (iii) instructional studies that have supported second language learning by addressing the negative effects of crosslinguistic influence. Using this foundation, new research directions and theorization in the field of second language acquisition are proposed. This book will serve as an excellent resource for students and scholars with interests in (instructed) second language learning, applied linguistics, cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, and language education.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2021

Reviews

[Soroosh Akef · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-organized book discussing the SLA theories directly relevant to CLI, going over empirical studies into CLI, and discussing the instructional implications of CLI.

I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the last chapter, which called for more longitudinal studies to enrich our understanding of the role CLI may play through the learner's developmental journey. I believe it's very likely that longitudinal data collected from large-scale CALL systems will contribute to the next breakthrough in our understanding of CLI.