Includes bibliographical references (p. 730-791) and index.

Introduction

PART ONE: Background
1. Second language acquisition research: an overview

PART TWO: The description of learner language
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
6. Social factors and second language acquisition
7. Input and interaction and second language acquisition

PART FOUR: Explaining second language acquisition: internal factors
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
11. Individual learner differences
12. Learning strategies

PART SIX: Classroom second language acquisition
13. Classroom interaction and second language acquisition
14. Formal instruction and second language acquisition

PART SEVEN: Conclusion
15. Data, theory, and applications in second language acquisition research

"This book serves as a comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible introduction to second language acquisition research and as a reference book for this important field of study. The first section outlines a general framework for the study of second language acquisition. Subsequent sections provide a general 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." (Book Cover)