How Languages are Learned

Fourth Edition

Patsy M. Lightbown, Nina Spada

How Languages are Learned

Fourth Edition

Patsy M. Lightbown, Nina Spada

ISBN:

9780194541268

Binding:

Paperback

Published:

7 Feb 2013

Availability:

9

Series:

Oxford Handbooks For Language Teachers

$72.95 AUD

$84.99 NZD

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Description

Written by experienced teacher trainers and language learning experts, Patsy Lightbown and Nina Spada, How Languages Are Learned relates the theories of first and second language acquisition to what actually goes on in the classroom. It uses activities to explore the practical implications of the ideas presented. Evaluations and case studies are included throughout the book so that you can see a practical context for the research ideas you are reading about. Many of these examples are taken directly from real second language classrooms. 

Now in its 4th edition, How Languages Are Learned is highly valued for the way it relates language acquisition theory to classroom teaching and learning and draws practical implications from research for the language classroom. It is widely used as a reference book on teacher training courses, and is for new and experienced practising teachers.

New to This Edition:

  • Updated to reflect the most recent research in the field of second language teaching and learning 
  • Activities and Questions for Reflection personalise content and support critical thinking
  • Extra activities, study questions and videos available online
  • Now also available as an eBook from Amazon, Kobo and iBookstore

Contents

Introduction
1. Language learning in early childhood
Preview
First language acquisition
Explaining first language acquisition
Language disorders and delays
Childhood bilingualism
Summary
Suggestions for further reading
2. Second language learning
Preview
Learner characteristics
Learning conditions
Studying the language of second language learners 
Vocabulary
Pragmatics
Phonology
Sampling learners’ language
Summary
Suggestions for further reading
3. Individual differences in second language learning
Preview
Research on learner characteristics
Individual differences and classroom instruction
Age and second language learning
Age and second language instruction
Summary
Suggestions for further reading
4. Explaining second language learning
Preview
The behaviourist perspective
The innatist perspective
The cognitive perspective
The sociocultural perspective
Summary
Suggestions for further reading
5. Observing learning and teaching in the second language classroom
Preview
Natural and instructional settings
Observation schemes
Ethnography
Summary
Suggestions for further reading
6. Second language learning in the classroom
Preview
Proposals for teaching
Assessing the proposals
Summary
Suggestions for further reading
7. Popular ideas about language learning revisited
Preview
Reflecting on the popular ideas: Learning from research
Conclusion

Authors

Patsy Lightbown, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Applied Linguistics, at Concordia University, Montreal

Nina Spada, Professor in the Second Language Education Program at OISE, University of Toronto

Lecturer Resources

New resources to complement How Languages are Learned are available at www.oup.com/elt/teacher/hlal:

  • Sample material from the fourth edition, including new 'Questions for Reflection'
  • Discussion Questions organised per chapter
  • Supplementary Activities for teachers
  • Editable chapter summaries
  • Weblinks to related content on other websites

For more information about the resources for How Languages are Learned, please contact your Oxford Territory Manager.