Includes bibliography (p. 730-791) and index.

Acknowledgements; Introduction; PART ONE - BACKGROUND; Introduction; 1. Second language acquisition research: an overview; PART TWO - THE DESCRIPTION OF LEARNER LANGUAGE; Introduction; 2. Learner errors and error analysis; 3. Developmental patterns: order and sequence in second language acquisition; 4. Variability in learner language; 5. Pragmatic aspects of learner language; PART THREE - EXPLAINING SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: EXTERNAL FACTORS; Introduction; 6. Social factors and second language acquisition; 7. Input and interaction and second language acquisition; PART FOUR - EXPLAINING SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: INTERNAL FACTORS; Introduction; 8. Language transfer; 9. Cognitive accounts of second language acquisition; 10. Linguistic universals and second language acquisition; PART FIVE - EXPLAINING INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION; Introduction; 11. Individual learner differences; 12. Learning strategies; PART SIX - CLASSROOM SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION; Introduction; 13. Classroom interaction and second language acquisition; 14. Formal instruction and second language acquisition; PART SEVEN - CONCLUSION; Introduction; 15. Data, theory, and applications in second language acquisition research ; Glossary; Bibliography; Author index; Subject index

The first section of this book outlines a general framework for the study of second language acquisition. Subsequent sections provide a description of learner language, account for the role of the linguistic environment, examine the learner's internal mechanisms, explore individual differences in language learning, and review the expanding research on classroom second language acquisition. First Prize English Speaking Union's Duke of Edinburgh Book Competition