Foreign and Second Language Learning书评

Foreign and Second Language Learning外语与第二语言学习

William Littlewood

About the book This book is an introduction to some of the discoveries and ideas which have emerged from recent research into foreign and second language learning.

The aim of the book To examine aspects of learning which seem likely to help us develop more effective approaches to teaching.

Contents Chapter 1 First language acquisition Chapter 2 Behaviourism and second language learning Chapter 3 Errors and learning strategies Chapter 4 The internal syllabus of the language learner Chapter 5 Accounting for differences between learners Chapter 6 Models of second language learning Chapter 7 Using a second language Chapter 8 Learning and teaching

Chapter 1 Chapter 1 discusses some of the studies and ideas about first language acquisition which have been influential in the field of foreign and second language learning.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2 examines the habitformation theories which were often dominant before this influence was felt.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3 discusses learner’s errors and what these might tell us about the internal processes which produce learning.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4 looks at evidence that these processes dispose learners to master a language in predetermined sequences, which may conflict with our teaching sequences.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5 considers why some people learn more successfully than others.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6 tries to integrate some of the conclusions of previous chapters into a coherent picture of the learning experience.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7 looks at some studies of how learners make use of a foreign or second language in order to communicate.

Chapter 8 Chapter 8 suggests some ways in which recent evidence and ideas about learning may influence our approach to teaching.

Why learners show great differences? Motivation for learning Opportunities for learning Ability to learn

Motivation for learning Motivation is the crucial force which determines whether a learner embarks on a task at all, how much energy he devotes to it, and how long he perseveres.

Integrative motivation: A learner has a genuine interest in the second language community. Instrumental motivation: A learner is more interested in how the second language can be a successful instrument towards furthering other goals.

Opportunities for learning 1. The opportunities that exist for using the second language; 2. The emotional climate of the learning situations; 3. The type of language to which the learner is exposed; 4. The effects of formal instruction.