Addresses one of the functions of output proposed by Swain (1993, 1995, 1998). In particular, the activity of producing the target language may, under certain circumstances, prompt second language (L2) learners to recognize some of their linguistic problems and bring to their attention something they need to discover about their L2. (Author/VWL)

Investigated the acquisition of Japanese unaccusative verbs by English-speaking learners, specifically whether second language learners are sensitive to syntactic and semantic properties associated with the "takusan" construction as a syntactic test and the "-teiru" construction as a semantic test. Results show learners generally know the…

Introduces the concept of lexical unit as proposed by Cruse (1986) in the context of second language vocabulary learning to replace the notion of "word." Defines the concept in terms of lexical semantics and applies it to the task of learning a second language. Describes studies in which the learning of different types of lexical units is…

Explores the question of when second language readers use their first language cognitive resources and how this cognitive use of the first language helps them comprehend a second language text. (Author/VWL)

Reviews four recent books of current research in vocabulary acquisition: "Exploring the Second Language Mental Lexicon," (D. Singleton); "Assessing Vocabulary," (J. Read); "Vocabulary in Language Teaching" (N. Schmitt); "Learning Vocabulary in Another Language" (L.S.P. Nation). (Author/VWL)

Discusses the work of Stephen Krashen, examining his insights and discussing the views of his critics. (Author/VWL)

Explores the relevance of Lyotard's philosophy of "differends" for a theory of intercultural communication. Lyotard contends that it is not necessary for both interlocutors to speak the same language for successful communication to occur. (Author/VWL)

Sought to determine optimal conditions for learning accurate word usage in Japanese from limited exposure to exemplars. Results indicate that having varied type exemplars that show clear distinctions among semantically similar words promotes accuracy of usage, as measured by learners' ability to extend a word's core meaning to more abstract or…

Illuminates the psycholinguist mechanism that underlies the claim made by the output hypothesis that production makes the learner move from semantic processing prevalent in comprehension to more syntactic processing that is necessary for second language development. Reviews previous literature in language acquisition and cognitive psychology on…

Reviews work on language contact phenomena in advertising. More emphasis is being placed on multilingual discourses in advertising and the ways in which these index identities, both of the products and services with which multiple cods are associated and of the consumers who peruse them. Also examines the various functions of different contact…

In a cross sectional study, monolingual and bilingual children, aged 27 and 35 months were presented with two novel labels for the same object, a violation of the mutual exclusivity principle within a language. They were then tested on their comprehension of the two labels. Results indicated that across both language groups, older children honored…

Examines ways to stimulate sense perceptions and imaginative analysis to make poetry accessible to students learning French as a second language but also an enjoyable subject to teach. (Author/VWL)

Examines the role of intrapersonal communication in connection with second language learning through internalization. In internalization, learners imitate the linguistic affordances made available by the classroom community. Presents an analysis of a case study of an adult learner of Spanish and discusses its implications for learning. (AS)

Examined the extent to which years of exposure to a language, amount of language input at home and at school, and amount of exposure to reading and other literacy activities in a language relate to observed bilingual performance in young children as obtained from teacher and parent reports. (VWL)

Discusses "emergenitism," a view of cognition stressing interaction between organism and environment and denying existence of predetermined, domain-specific faculties or capacities. It is an alternative to special nativist theories of the mind, such as theories of universal grammar. rejects arguments raised against "special nativism" and looks at…