Problems in Second Language Acquisition

by Michael H. Long

Second language acquisition has an identity problem. It is a young field struggling to emerge from the parent fields of education and applied linguistics. In his new book, Problems in Second Language Acquisition, Mike Long proposes a way to help second language acquisition develop a systematic and coherent focus using the philosophy of science as the lens.

The volume is neatly organized into three parts--theory, research, and practice. This structure allows a focus on areas of SLA of interest to many in the field. These include theory proliferation and comparative theory evaluation; the Critical Period Hypothesis and negative feedback; and the practice of "synthetic" language teaching.

The controversial volume will be of interest to researchers, educators, and graduate students in second language acquisition, applied linguistics, TESOL, and linguistics programs. It may be recommended as additional reading for an introductory SLA course in order to stimulate class discussions.

212 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2006

Reviews

[Nayeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating of this book is a bit biased, I give it full marks because Michael H. Long basically saved my research proposal at an Applied Linguistics program, I wont go into detail but it changed my perspective quite a bit. Both this book and other publications of his opened my eyes into what a Second Language Acquisition theory should cover and how theory proliferation is affecting the field. It takes its title from Laudan's idea of science being a "problem-solving activity" and tries to place the same rigor to this linguistic area.

I read the first two chapters fully and skipped through the parts of Part II: Research I was interested in, this lead me to seek other authors and distracted me into other publications on the Critical Period Hypothesis, I will probably have to either buy or take out this book from the library again soon.