The Processability Theory suggests that teachability and learn ability of a language is constrained by what learners are ready to acquire. This means that what is presented to the learners should be in line with their level and readiness. Textbooks are one of the fundamental resources of language learning and teaching, and in this sense, analyzing…

Learner autonomy has been a major focus of educational researchers in Bangladesh for more than a decade now. Studies in this area have generated significant themes in ESL/EFL pedagogy in Bangladesh, particularly during the last ten years or so, and the prospect looks promising. This article reviews the research pertaining to learner autonomy in…

Argues that the teachability of language is constrained by what the learner is ready to acquire. The Teachability Hypothesis, based on this constraint, uses a speech processing approach to explain second language acquisition and contains important psycholinguistic information on which second language teaching methods could be based. (Author/CB)

Reviews five major findings of language research about the effect of explicit instruction and relates them to second-language teaching and learning, covering such areas as the route of acquisition, psycholinguistic readiness, error correction, classroom versus nonclassroom learning, and access to comprehensible and meaningful input. (37…

The controversy over the optimal age for learning a second language is discussed, examining, from the perspective of Piagetian theory: (1) the argument which suggests that children have an advantage in language learning; and (2) the arguments which states that adults have an advantage in language learning. The first part provides an overview of…

Advances six postulates that largely define the learning side of a reciprocal language learning/teaching model, involving manner of presentation; learner characteristics; sensory data and memory role; comprehension and memory; multiple presentations; and informed teaching. (Author/CB)

The convergence of several lines of psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic research suggests possible explanations for age-related influences on language acquisition. These factors, which include cognitive development, sociocultural context, affective factors, and language input, can be helpful to language educators. By being alert to the cognitive…

Only a fraction of one percent of elementary school children in the United States are enrolled in the study of a foreign language, yet the United States must compete in a multilingual world market. American educators must reevaluate the means by which they prepare future citizens for productive living in an ever-shrinking global society. Piaget,…

The monograph emerged from experience with an independent learning program at the English Centre of the University of Hong Kong. Students enrolled in classroom-based English spend part of their study time improving their English in ways they have chosen themselves, with the support of self-access learning facilities and counselors. They were asked…