Key Topics in Second Language Acquisition

This textbook offers an introductory overview of eight hotly-debated topics in second language acquisition research. It offers a glimpse of how SLA researchers have tried to answer common questions about second language acquisition rather than being a comprehensive introduction to SLA research.

Vivian Cook is Emeritus Professor, Newcastle University, UK. He has been researching in the fields of second language acquisition and writing systems for over 45 years and was founding President of the European Second Language Association (EUROSLA).Singleton David :

David Singleton is an Emeritus Fellow of Trinity College Dublin, and Professor at the University of Pannonia and at the State University of Applied Sciences, Konin. He has served as President of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics, as Secretary General of the International Association of Applied Linguistics and as President of the European Second Language Association. His two hundred publications focus mainly on cross-linguistic influence, the lexicon, the age factor in language acquisition and multilingualism. He is the co-author of Key Topics in Second Language Acquisition and co-editor of the Multilingual Matters SLA book series. In 2015 he received the EUROSLA Distinguished Scholar Award.

Vivian Cook is Emeritus Professor, Newcastle University, UK. He has been researching in the fields of second language acquisition and writing systems for over 45 years and was founding President of the European Second Language Association (EUROSLA).

David Singleton is Professor, University of Pannonia, Hungary and Fellow Emeritus, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. He has published widely on second language acquisition, multilingualism and lexicology and is the series editor for the SLA series published by Multilingual Matters.

This book constitutes a prime example of a well-written introduction to the undoubtedly highly complex, interdisciplinary and multifaceted domain of second language acquisition research, being at the same time accessible, readable and simply engaging.

Robert Cote, The University of Arizona, USA:

Cook and Singleton’s book succinctly addresses many pressing questions asked by both novices and experts in the field of SLA and could be a useful tool in an introductory SLA course.

Lourdes Ortega, Georgetown University, USA:

Vibrant, prescient, honest, enjoyable… such is the view of SLA that Cook and Singleton have crafted in this unmatchable book! The palette of 8 topics covers yet transcends the box of traditional SLA and the wealth of interactive illustrations fully situates adult language acquisition in present-day realities. A must-own SLA title.

Mike Sharwood-Smith, Academy of Social Sciences, Warsaw, Poland:

This book provides a welcome, very readable introduction to second language learning, angled at university students as well as those with a general interest in the subject. It is also very teacher-friendly. Readers will not only be suitably informed but will also find plenty to intrigue them about language and its acquisition.

Gessica De Angelis, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland:

This excellent volume offers a clear and engaging description of central topics in second language acquisition research, and highlights the connection between research findings, formal and informal learning contexts, and teaching practices. I have no doubt that this volume will soon become an invaluable resource for teachers and students alike.