Summary:
This volume bridges the knowledge gap between second language acquisition researchers and second language pedagogy professionals in its focus on a topic of mutual interest: input. The reader-friendly contributions from seasoned researchers including Stephen Krashen, Bill VanPatten and new voices offer a wide range of existing and new perspectives on the matter of input. A rare feature of this book is that it includes extensive coverage by experts including James Flege and Alene Moyer of the acquisition of the sound system of a second language, where input seems to matter most. Those who are just making their acquaintance with second language acquisition research or updating their knowledge will find the editors' introductory chapter on past and current issues in the field particularly useful.
Review:
The volume constitutes a major contribution to the understanding of the role of input in L2 acquisition, and especially in L2 phonology, an area where input has not been investigated systematically. I think that L2 researchers and graduate students will find this volume quite appealing and would consider it a required reading for anyone planning to undertake research projects on L2 input.
Mónica Cabrera, Loyola Marymount University, USA in Linguist List 20.4070
This book has the great merit of appealing to quite different kinds of reader. This book will have great appeal to theorists and practitioners alike.
Mike Sharwood Smith
Author Biography:
Thorsten Piske is affiliated with the University of Education in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. His research focuses on first and second language acquisition and on bilingual education. He is well known for joint work with James E. Flege on factors affecting degree of foreign accent in a second language. He has done research on the production and perception of first and second language speech sounds and on the effectiveness of bilingual programs in kindergartens and primary schools.Currently at Newcastle University in England, Martha Young-Scholten works on morpho-syntax and phonology. She is well known for joint work with Anne Vainikka on uninstructed adults’ development of morpho-syntax in German. Prosodic structure, orthographic input and the phonological awareness of low-literate immigrant adults are some of the lines of research she pursues in the second language acquisition of phonology.
Readership Level:
Postgraduate, Research / Professional, Undergraduate
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