Language Teaching and Skill Learning (Applied Language Studies)

This book argues controversially that second-language acquisitionhas much in common with other forms of skill learning, and thatthere is much to be learned about the business of language teachingby considering the views and practices of teachers in otherdomains.

For many Applied Linguists, language is unique among human skills,incomparable in its acquisition and use to other forms ofbehaviour. Their study of second-language learning and teaching maythus draw on knowledge about first-language acquisition, but not onwhat is known about the learning of non-linguistic skills. Thisbook argues against such an approach. It begins by consideringarguments for and against the uniqueness of language. It reviewsthe recent literature in second-language acquisition, looking bothat general learning theories (which account for language alongsideother skills) and opposing theories (mostly based on the study ofUniversal Grammar). The book then turns to language teaching, andin a programmatic way considers what insights may be gained byviewing language within a general skills framework. Particularattention is given to how the teacher may help students to makeconsciously learned language automatic.