Synopses & Reviews
How does classroom language learning take place? How does an understanding of second language acquisition contribute to language teaching? In answering these questions, Rod Ellis reviews a wide range of research on classroom learning, developing a theory of instructed second language acquisition that has significant implications for language teaching.
The early chapters of this book trace the attempts to explain classroom language learning in terms of general theory of learning (behaviorism) and the study of naturalistic language learning. The middle chapters document the attempts of researchers to enter the "black box" of the classroom in order to describe the teaching-learning behaviors that take place there and to investigate to what extent and in what ways instruction results in acquisition.
The book concludes with a theory of classroom language learning. This theory advances an explanation of the relationship between explicit and implicit linguistic knowledge and in so doing accounts for how both form-focused and meaning-focused instruction contribute to second language acquisition in the classroom.
Synopsis
This collection of articles from Language Learning illustrates the range of current inquiry into form-focused instruction and its effects on second language learning. The articles report both experimental and descriptive studies, addressing such issues as the effectiveness of form-focused instruction, the role of input-processing instruction, the relationship between attention and language learning, the sequence of acquisition in instructed learners, and the provision of corrective feedback in class-room settings. In addition to articles reporting empirical studies, two articles provide comprehensive overviews of the experimental and descriptive research. Ellis’ introductory chapter offers an historical survey of research into form-focused instruction together with an analysis of key theoretical constructs and methodological issues. The book is of relevance to both second language researchers and teacher educators.
About the Author
Rod Ellis is winner of the BAAL Book Prize in 1985 for the best book published in applied linguistics. Formerly Professor and Head of Department in the School of Language Studies, Ealing College of Higher Education.
Table of Contents
Part I-Introduction.
1. Investigating the Form-Focused Instruction: Rod Ellis.
Part II - Experimental Studies.
2. Integrating Formal and Functional Approaches to Language Teaching in French Immersion: An Experimental Study: Elaine M. Day and Stan M. Shapson.
3. The Differential Role of Comprehension and Production Practice: Robert M. DeKeyser and Karl J. Sokalski.
4. Attention, Awareness and Foreign Language Behavior: Ronald P. Leow.
5. Does Type of Instruction Make A Difference? Substantive Findings From a Meta-analytic Review: John M. Norris and Lourdes Ortega.
Part III - Interpretative Classroom Studies.
6. Another Piece of the Puzzle: The Emergence of the Present Perfect: Kathleen Bardovi-Harlig.
7. Negotiation of Form, Recasts, and Explicit Correction in Relation to Error Types and Learner Repair in Immersion Classrooms: Roy Lyster.
8. Learner-Generated Attention to Form: Jessica Williams.
9. The Case of the Missing "No": The Relationship Between Pedagogy and Interaction: Paul Seedhouse.
Index