How Languages Are Learned (Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers) [Paperback]

Patsy M. Lightbown (Author), Nina Spada (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0194422240 | ISBN-13: 978-0194422246 | Publication Date: April 13, 2006 | Edition: 3rd

This thoroughly updated third edition presents the main theories of language acquisition, considering their bearing on language teaching. It discusses the effects of factors such as intelligence, personality, and age. It helps teachers assess the merits of different methods and textbooks.

This new edition includes more information on theories of first language acquisition and early bilingualism, and the affects of motivation and style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patsy M. Lightbown is Distinguished Professor Emerita at Concordia University in Montreal and Past President of the American Association for Applied Linguistics. Her research focuses on how instruction and feedback affect second-language acquisition in classrooms where the emphasis is on "communicative" or "content-based" language teaching. The contexts for her work have included elementary schools in Canada and, more recently, dual-language bilingual classes in the U.S. Nina Spada is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the Modern Language Centre, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, Canada. Her main areas of professional interest are second language acquisition, classroom research in L2 teaching and learning, and English as a Second Language.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3rd edition (April 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0194422240
• ISBN-13: 978-0194422246
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Education & Reference > Words & Language

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction, March 27, 2005

By 

T. Hooper "thdizzy" (Osaka, Japan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Languages Are Learned (Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

I really recommend this book as an introduction to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) reasearch. It was written with the language teacher in mind. Many of the other books on the subject are focused on the researcher rather than the teacher, so this book fills a gap in the literature. The explanations of the major theories are carried out without frequent use of jargon, so it's easy for the beginner to get a handle on SLA theory. I even recommend this for students who are studying SLA in graduate school. This will provide an excellent introduction that could be read before reading more difficult texts. After readinging "How Languages Are Learned", you'll understand more in depth discussions about the theories covered. A must for all practicing language teachers.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars De-mystifies Second Language Learning Theory, May 28, 2002

By 

Madeleine Youmans (Huntsville, AL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Languages Are Learned (Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

I used this book in a graduate ESL teacher-training SLA course. It presents all the relevant theory and research in terms students can understand. I adapted some of the authors' analyses to be used as models in student projects. Works well in combination with Vivian Cook's _Second Language Learning and Language Teaching_. I will definitely use it again.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Decent Intro, April 8, 2007

By 

Bu-Chan (Aotearoa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Languages Are Learned (Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

Lightbrown and Nada's "How Languages are Learned" makes a good introduction to second language acquisition and some of the linguistic theories that are out there regarding it. Without overloading you with details, the book gives you enough to make some more informed choices about the classroom.

They start from a basis set in first language learning and some of the ideas that have come from there, as well as the nature of how children learn their first language. From there, it is pretty much straight into second language acquisition, including 5 approaches to it, learner language, interaction approaches and styles, factors that affect second language acquistion, (such as learner beliefs, motivations and even a detailed discussion on the age of students), and a range of others. The book is wrapped up with the authors' responses to 12 common beliefs about language learning.

For those looking for more inspiration in the classroom, there are better books out there. This one will give you something to think about, and maybe use as a basis for adjusting one's technique, but it really deals more in the theory and how that impacts on our understanding of students. If theory, and a decent introduction to it, is what you are after, then might I recommend this one as a good starting point.

Unlike some, Lightbrown and Nada have avoided throwing in so much jargon that their book is rendered useless by most people. It is very accessible and easily read. There will probably be no headaches after this one. It is an interesting, well-written book.