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

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

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0194422240 | ISBN-13: 978-0194422246 | 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: 6.6 x 0.6 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Education & Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Study & Teaching

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

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

By Bu-Chan

Format: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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for first timers; Not cutting-edge February 22, 2008

By Rosamina Lowi

Format:Paperback

I have used this book in undergraduate Introduction to Language Learning and Language Teaching courses, as well as in a graduate seminar on language acquistion theory.

As previous reviewers have noted, Lightbown and Spada provide an easy-to-read and accessible text. The third edition expands on the second, and includes more recent variations on several of the language acquisition theories presented in the second edition (I've also used the second edition).

Unfortunately, it is missing some of the current and exciting work that is being done in usage-based theory and discourse analysis, and therefore will become more of a historical review of language acquisition theories as time goes on.

By itself it isn't enough for an entire course, either for language acquisition or teaching methodology. However, L&S deftly connect the dots with regard to how theories drive the thinking behind pedagogy.
I would recommend this book, in addition to other texts and course materials, to anyone teaching in a language teacher training program.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good intro to second language acquisition January 29, 2009

By Rosa Kay

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am an MA student at University of Massachusetts Boston. I had to read H. Douglas Brown's Principles of Language Learning and Teaching for my class but I didn't completely understand after reading his book. I then spent some time reading this book How Languages are Learned by Patsy Lightbown, and I understand completely. It cleared up my frustrations. I highly recommended it to anybody who needs a little reference before the more advanced book.