Lourdes Ortega

Alister Cumming

Nick C. Ellis

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

Agendas for Language Learning Research

This book documents the results of a multi-year project that investigated the goals for writing improvement among 45 students and their instructors in intensive courses of English as a Second Language (ESL) then, a year later, in academic programs at two Canadian universities. The researchers present a detailed framework to describe these goals from the perspectives of the students as well as their instructors. The goals are analyzed for groups of students from particular backgrounds internationally, for changes over time, and in relation to the ESL and academic courses. The authors use activity theory, goal theory, various sociolinguistic concepts, and multiple data sources (interviews, observations, stimulated recalls, questionnaires, and text analyses) to provide a contextually-grounded perspective on learning, teaching, writing, second-language development, and curriculum policy. The book will interest researchers, educators, and administrators of ESL, university, college, and literacy programs around the world.

ESL students and their instructors

Goals for Academic Writing

Ilona Leki

Tony Silva

'I applaud the authors for this sizeable undertaking, as well as the care exercised in selecting and sequencing topics and subtopics. A major strength and salient feature of this volume is its range: It will serve as a key reference tool for researchers working in L2 composition and in allied fields.' – John Hedgcock, Monterey Institute for International Studies Synthesizing twenty-five years of the most significant and influential findings of published research on second language writing in English, this volume promotes understanding and provides access to research developments in the field. Overall, it distinguishes the major contexts of English L2 learning in North America, synthesizes the research themes, issues, and findings that span these contexts, and interprets the methodological progression and substantive findings of this body of knowledge. Of particular interest is the extensive bibliography, which makes this volume an essential reference tool for libraries and serious writing professionals, both researchers and practitioners, both L1 and L2. This book is designed to allow researchers to become familiar with the most important research on this topic, to promote understanding of pedagogical needs of L2 writing students, and to introduce graduate students to L2 writing research findings.

Alister Cumming

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