Chapter 1 Introduction: Key Concepts and Issues in SLA 1.1 Language Acquisition and SLA 1.2 Some Definitions of SLA 1.3 Some Structural Characteristics of SLA 1.4 The Literature on the Theories of SLA 1.5 A Theoretical Approach Proposed by Spolsky 1.6 Theoretical Applications to L2 Teaching and Learning 1.7 Some Distinctions in the field of SLA Research 1.7.1 SLA and FLA 1.7.2 Acquisition versus Learning i.7.3 Input versus Intake 1.7.4 Implicit versus Explicit Learning 1.7.5 Incidental versus Intentional Learning 1.7.6 Instructed versus Non-instructed SLA 1.8 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 2 Views on Language, Learning and Learner 2.1 Views on the Nature of Language 2.1.1 Phonetics and Phonology 2.1.2 Syntax 2.1.3 Morphology 2.1.4 Semantics 2.1.5 Pragmatics 2.2 Views of the Language Learning Process —— L 1 versus L2 2.2.1 Childrens Acquisition of Lexicon 2.2.2 Childrens Acquisition of Syntax 2.2.3 Childrens Acquisition of Phonology 2.2.4 Childrens Acquisition of Semantics and Pragmatics 2.3 Views of the Second Language Learner 2.3.1 The Learner as Language Processor 2.3.2 Differences between Individual Learners 2.3.3 Cognitive Factors 2.3.4 Affective Factors 2.3.5 The Learner as Social Being 2.3.6 Links with Social Practice 2.4 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 3 An Introduction to Language Acquisition 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Developmental Patterns in L I Acquisition 3.2.1 A General Outline of English Acquisition as L1 3.2.2 Positive and Negative Reinforcements in Childrens L1 Acquisition 3.2.3 Beneficial Views from Childrens L1 Acquisition 3.3 The Controversy between Behaviorist and Mentalist Models 3.4 Developmental Patterns in L2 Acquisition 3.4.1 Early Stages 3.4.2 Formulaic Speech 3.4.3 Structural and Semantic Simplification 3.4.4 The Hypothesis of L1 & L2 Acquisition 3.5 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 4 Recent History of SLA Research 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Early Studies on Language Acquisition (to 1960s) 4.2.1 Behavioristic View of Learning —— Habit Formation 4.2.2 Contrastive Analysis 4.2.3 Behaviorism and CA for Language Teaching 4.2.4 Behaviorism under Attack 4.3 The Following-up Studies in 1970s and 1980s 4.3.1 The Birth of Error Analysis and Interlanguage 4.3.2 Krashen and His Monitor Model 4.3.3 Schumanns Pidginization or Acculturation Model 4.4 The Recent Studies on L2A (beyond 1990s) 4.4.1 The Developmental Patterns in Language Acquisition 4.4.2 Different Roles Found in Language Acquisition 4.5 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 5 The UG Approach to Language Acquisition 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Universal Grammar (UG) for Language Acquisition 5.2.1 Chomsky and His UG Theory 5.2.2 What Constitutes Knowledge of Language? 5.2.3 How does UG Relate to Language Acquisition? 5.2.4 How is Knowledge of Language Put to Use? 5.3 Arguments from First Language Acquisition 5.3.1 Characteristics of First Language Acquisition 5.3.2 Language Acquisition and Intelligence 5.3.3 Language Impairment and Human Brain Damage 5.3.4 Conclusion 5.4 What Does UG Consist of?. 5.4.1 Principles and Parameters Theory in UG 5.4.2 UG Principles 5.4.3 UG Parameters 5.5 Evaluation of UG-based Approaches to SLA 5.5.1 The Scope and Achievements of the UG Approach 5.5.2 The UG View of Language 5.5.3 The UG View of Language Acquisition 5.5.4 The UG View of the Language Learner 5.6 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 6 Cognitive Approaches to SLA 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Two Main Groups of Cognitive Theorists 6.3 Processing Approaches 6.3.1 Information-processing Models of L2 Learning 6.3.2 McLaughlin s Information-processing Model 6.3.3 Andersons Active Control of Thought (ACT) Model 6.3.4 Application of ACT to Learning Strategies 6.4 Connectionism 6.5 Theories of L2 Processing 6.6 Evaluation of Cognitive Approaches to L2 Learning 6.7 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 7 Some Other Perspectives on SLA 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Functional Perspectives on L1 Learning and SLA 7.3 Functionalist Contributions to an Understanding of SLA 7.4 Sociocultural Perspectives on SLA 7.5 Sociolinguistic Perspectives on SLA 7.6 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 8 Input, Interaction and Output in SLA 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Input and Interaction in L1 Acquisition 8.3 Input and Interaction in SLA 8.4 Output in SLA 8.5 Theorizing Input, Interaction and Output Research 8.6 Feedback, Recasts and Negative Evidence in SLA 8.7 Evaluation: The Scope of Interactionist Research 8.8 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 9 Varied Perspectives on lnterlanguage 9.1 An Introduction to Interlanguage 9.2 Social Aspects of IL 9.3 Discourse Aspects of IL 9.4 Psycholinguistic Aspects of IL 9.5 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 10 Researches on L2 Classroom Practice(I) 10.1 Introduction 10.2 An Introduction to the History of L2 Teaching Methods 10.3 Cross-language Competition between L1 and L2 10.4 Some Methods Used in L2 Classroom Research 10.5 Data Collection and Data Analysis 10.6 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 11 Researches on L2 Classroom Practice(II) 11.1 Direct Involvement of Classroom Interaction Research 11.2 An Introduction to Classroom Interaction 11.3 Types of Language Use in Classroom Interaction 11.4 Turn Taking in Classroom Discourse 11.5 Differences between Classroom and Naturalistic Discourse 11.6 The Teachers Role in Classroom Interaction 11.7 Learner Participation 11.8 Classroom Interaction in the L2 Learning 11.9 The Relationship between Classroom Interaction and SLA 11.10 Conclusion Points for Thinking Further Reading Chapter 12 Conclusion 12.1 A Brief Review of the Book 12.2 An Integrated View of SLA Research 12.3 Main Achievements of Recent SLA Research 12.4 SLA Research and Language Education 12.5 Future Directions for SLA Research Points for Thinking Further Reading REFERENCES