Portraits Of Second Language Learners

Using second language (L2) socialization theory as a theoretical framework, this book investigates the ways in which four advanced learners of Japanese on an immersion program in the USA exercise their agency to pursue their language learning goals. The work presents their learner portraits and documents the different ways in which the four learners negotiate the meaning of their participations in the new community of practice, navigate and shape the trajectories of their learning and eventually achieve their goals of learning from their emic perspectives. The book re-examines Norton’s (2000) constructs of investment, investigates its applicability and argues that L2 learners’ desires and drives for learning an L2 are more diverse, unique and contextually situated than Norton’s notion of investment alone can explain. The research will be of interest to researchers and students in the fields of applied linguistics, second language acquisition, foreign language education and language and literacy education.

"Portraits of the L2 User treats second language users in their own right rather than as failed native speakers. It describes a range of psychological and linguistic approaches to diverse topics about L2 users. It thus provides an overview of current second language acquisition theories, results and methods, seen from a common perspective."--Jacket.

This new volume of work highlights the distinctiveness of child SLA through a collection of different types of empirical research specific to younger learners. Characteristics of children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development distinguish their experiences from those of adult L2 learners, creating intriguing issues for SLA research, and also raising important practical questions regarding effective pedagogical techniques for learners of different ages. While child SLA is often typically thought of as simple (and often enjoyable and universally effortless), in other words, as “child’s play”, the complex portraits of young second language learners which emerge in the 16 papers collected in this book invite the reader to reconsider the reality for many younger learners. Chapters by internationally renowned authors together with reports by emerging researchers describe second and foreign language learning by children ranging from pre-schoolers to young adolescents, in home and school contexts, with caregivers, peers, and teachers as interlocutors.

A group of whole language teachers share their personal experiences by highlighting a typical day in their classrooms.

This book examines the main issues in bilingual and multilingual language acquisition through children and youngsters growing up in todays multicultural Spain, where four official languages and other new languages are used. The studies cover phonetics, g

Newcomer ELLs (English language learners) face a complex and daunting set of challenges. How can educators appropriately provide support to this population? Based on research of the social, emotional, and academic needs of secondary immigrant students, this book is comprised of strategies and techniques for content-area teachers of newcomer ELLs. Additionally, campus and district leaders will gain practical advice about a systemic approach to meeting the needs of this ever-increasing population. Pathways to Greatness for ELL Newcomers: A Comprehensive Guide for Schools and Teachers will highlight several components relevant to newcomer instruction including: cultural proficiency, second language acquisition strategies, scheduling/credits, and effective content-area instruction. It includes over 30 activities for content-area and ESL teachers of newcomers.

This volume brings together studies from learning contexts that provide intensive exposure to the target language: naturalistic immersion (immigration and study abroad), intensive instruction, and informal intensive environments in foreign language settings. Its chapters yield much needed evidence on the role of context of acquisition and highlight the unique role of intensive exposure in second language learning.

A collection of articles on direct and indirect second language vocabulary acquisition.