Examines the work of two scholars who have made the greatest contributions to the variabilist perspective on second-language acquisition, and discusses the acquisition models that each of these scholars has proposed. (50 references) (Author/VWL)

Discusses the minimal requirements that any serious theory of language acquisition must meet, including the particular properties of the human language processor and linguistic and nonlinguistic input. A review of literature regarding the role of Universal Grammar in second-language acquisition suggests alternative theories to investigate for…

Argues for a cognitive psychological approach to second-language learning that emphasizes the importance of the development of automaticity and the process of restructuring. It is suggested that language practice can lead to both increased, and occasionally decreased, performance levels, which cognitive psychology may help researchers to…

Surveys research on formal and informal second-language learning strategies, covering the effectiveness of research methods involving making lists, interviews and thinking aloud, note-taking, diaries, surveys, and training. Suggestions for future and improved research are presented. (131 references) (CB)

A detailed study of the developing intuitions of English-speaking adult learners of second-language French was conducted. One finding, that English-speaking learners of French can use nonparametrized properties of Universal Grammar to handle surface syntactic English-French differences, supports an emerging view about the role of parametrized…

It is argued that typological markedness rather than sonority distance per se better explains second-language learners' knowledge of English clusters in syllable onsets. Further, markedness alone suffices to account for the observed interlanguage patterns. (Contains 19 references.) (Author/LB)

This article discusses what constitutes a good vocabulary notebook by first deriving 11 principles from language memory and language research that can serve as a guide in the creation of a pedagogically sound notebook. A design for vocabulary notebooks is presented that emphasizes the incremental learning of vocabulary and different aspects of…

This paper examines contemporary trends in the error correction literature. Emphases are on types of errors and methods of correction that affect second-language acquisition. (54 references) (JL)

Discusses theoretical explanations of segment transfer in early second-language learning, focusing on the issue of differential substitution. The Feature Competition Model is based on an algorithm for the calculation of feature prominences in the first language based on the principles of underspecification. (62 references) (MDM)

This article suggests that the notion of "conceptual fluency," which has been derived from the current research on the role of metaphor in language and cognition, can be used to draft a teaching curriculum around the notion that metaphor is the organizing principle of common discourse. (51 references) (MDM)

Reviews research on the neuroscientific perspective to second-language acquisition and teaching, focusing on the "critical period" of language acquisition, brain hemispheric mapping, universal grammar theory, the modal directionality principle, and the modal focusing principle. (contains 74 references) (MDM)

Learners' grammaticality reactions emerge through cognitive processes and relate to the nature of the linguistic stimulus. Discussion of such metalinguistic judgments, particularly learners' tolerance of ill-formedness, attempts to clarify established perspectives, arguing that specific aspects of test strings may influence the saliency of certain…

A test of a hypothesis about the availability of Universal Grammar principles to adult language learners involved testing predictions about acquisition patterns in Hebrew speakers learning English as a Second Language. Results supported the view that second-language acquisition is a process of parameter reassignment of principles that are indeed…

Describes the natural language computer program, "Vinci." Explains that using an attribute grammar formalism, Vinci can simulate components of several current linguistic theories. Considers the design of the system and its applications in linguistic modelling and second language acquisition research. Notes Vinci's uses in linguistics…

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…