Second Language Learning and Language Teaching [Paperback]

Vivian Cook (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0340652020 | ISBN-13: 978-0340652022 | Publication Date: March 1, 1996 | Edition: 2

How do people learn languages? Vivian Cook's highly successful text has proved immensely valuable to teachers as an introduction to aspects of second language acquisition research where it relates to practical language teaching and the classroom. This new, enlarged edition has been thoroughly updated in the light of new research. The author lays greater emphasis on the implications of SLA research for the classroom and a wider range of research is taken into account. There are exercises and expanded sections at chapter ends offering practical help and tips for teachers approaching second language acquisition for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This much needed book will be an excellent text for courses in Language Acquisition within second language teacher education programs. There is a wealth of new knowledge, new vocabulary, and new perspectives which not only contribute to specialized aspects of teacher training but will enrich students" general education as well"--Patsy Lightbrown, Professor of Applied Linguistics, Concordia University

"Vivian Cook aims to provide a book which is not too academic, and which is relevant to the classroom teacher; he has succeeded admirably. And although intended for teachers, this book should also prove interesting to anyone who has ever themselves attempted to learn a foreign language."--Language International

About the Author

Vivian Cook is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Newcastle.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Education Publishers; 2 edition (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340652020
• ISBN-13: 978-0340652022
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,771,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bridging the gap between theory and practice, September 5, 2004

By 

Marco Polo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Language Learning and Language Teaching (Paperback)

Teachers often complain that research results and theories do not help them much when it comes to choosing materials or deciding on activities: the nuts and bolts of teaching in other words. On the other hand, researchers as well as some teachers complain that teachers all too often ignore research findings and base their teaching on their own unexamined and sometimes unfounded ideas and beliefs.
Well, here is a book that helps bridge the gap between second language acquisition research and teaching practice. Vivian Cook (a reader at the University of Essex in the UK for many years, he will move to Newcastle University in October 2004) provides here an overview of some of the most salient points from second language acquisition research and links them with teaching practice by examining samples from published EFL/ESL textbooks (50 of them, all indexed) from around the world.
This is a book for practising or trainee EFL/ESL teachers. There is frequent reference to other languages (for language awareness) and to a variety of research on different ethnic groups of learners. While the book is obviously somewhat technical, given its intended readership, each section is preceded by a mini glossary and discussion questions.
Cook ranges widely. There are sections or chapters on: learning and teaching different types of grammar; writing, spelling and vocabulary; individual factors that affect learning (sex, age, motivation, cognitive and learning styles); on pronunciation; on the goals of language teaching, which includes a look at national educational objectives in different countries; on models of L2 learning (the input theory, Universal Grammar, communicative models, audio-lingual method, etc).
I enjoyed Cook's dry wit and his personal comments on some of the research findings and teaching methods he describes. For instance, on the question of L2 users versus native speakers (Ch 7), he points out: "Teachers should be clear in their minds that they are usually teaching people how to use two languages, not how to use one in isolation....The aim is not to produce L2 speakers who can only use the language when speaking with each other. Myhill (1990), for instance, points out that English materials for Aboriginals in Australia, such as 'Tracks' (Northern Territory, 1979), reflect their own lifestyle rather than that of the English-speaking community: what's the point in them speaking to each other in English? Nor should the aim be to produce imitation native speakers, except perhaps for trainee spies."
Cook provides a British perspective, often lacking in EFL/ESL books (such as Lightbown and Spada's "How Language are Learned"). The overview of methods includes "British mainstream EFL".
An informative and stimulating book, particularly for teaches who have been away from theory or research for a while.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No one teaching or learning method... so read and thnk!, March 26, 2005

By 

Anonymous - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Language Learning and Language Teaching (Paperback)

I have noted in the margins - Debate, Problem, Practical, Interesting, Challenge, A vs B, Steps, Reasons and Solution many times throughout the book. She presents no one definitive answer but many comprehensive answers and provides a myriad of possibilities - the thinking and choice is up to you. This quote says it all...

"One piece of research shows that something is beneficial: a second peice of research following up on the same research shows that it is harmful. Presumably this conflict demonstrates the complexity of the learning process and the varieties of situations in which L2 learning occurs. But this is slender consolation to teachers, who want a straight answer." (Cook p.137)

This is for the comparative, analytical and practical teacher who wants insight into answering the questions - perfect.

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This is the 2nd not the 3rd edition (Note carefully, students!), March 13, 2007

By 

Trudy J. Odom - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Second Language Learning and Language Teaching (Paperback)

Be careful. I ordered the book without realizing that this is the 2nd edition, not the new 3rd edition that most professors will ask for. Now it is too late! It doesn't include the charts.