Agendas for Language Learning Research

Currents in Language Learning provides programmatic state-of-the-art overviews of current issues in the language sciences and their applications in first, second, and bi/multilingual language acquisition in naturalistic and tutored contexts. Draws on interdisciplinary perspectives from linguistics, psychology, education, anthropology, sociology, cognitive science, and neuroscience Brings together a team of leading linguists to explore current issues Develops research agendas in areas including: progress and relevance in second language acquisition; usage-based linguistics; age effects in language learning; second language pragmatics; vocabulary knowledge; transfer of learning in second language instruction; language, literacy, and culture; academic language development in schools; practice theory; and evolutionary perspectives on language

Foreword v Lourdes Ortega SLA for the 21st Century: Disciplinary Progress, Transdisciplinary Relevance, and the Bi/multilingual Turn 1–24 Nick C. Ellis, Matthew Brook O’Donnell, and Ute Römer Usage-Based Language: Investigating the Latent Structures That Underpin Acquisition 25– 51 Robert M. DeKeyser Age Effects in Second Language Learning: Stepping Stones Toward Better Understanding 52– 67 Kathleen Bardovi-Harlig DevelopingL2Pragmatics 68– 86 Scott Jarvis Capturing the Diversity in Lexical Diversity 87– 106 Diane Larsen-Freeman Transfer of Learning Transformed 107– 129 Alister Cumming Multiple Dimensions of Academic Language and Literacy Development 130– 152 Mary J. Schleppegrell The Role of Metalanguage in Supporting Academic Language Development 153– 170 Richard F. Young and Alice C. Astarita Practice Theory in Language Learning 171– 189 John H. Schumann Societal Responses to Adult Difficulties in L2 Acquisition: Toward an Evolutionary Perspective on Language Acquisition 190– 209 Subject Index 210–215