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Beginning from the conflict between individual learner differences and the institutionalized, often inflexible character of formal language instruction, Individual Learner Differences in SLA addresses the fact that despite this apparent conflict, ultimate success in learning a language is widespread. Starting with theoretically-based chapters, the book follows the thread of learner differences through sections devoted to learner autonomy; differentiated application of learning strategies; diagnostic studies of experienced learners’ management of the learning process; and reports on phonological attainment and development of language skills. Rather than providing an overview of all individual variables, the book reveals how some of them shape and affect the processes of language acquisition and use in particular settings.
This volume makes a very important contribution to research on themes and issues connected with Individual Learner Difference in SLA. Its rich and varied content offers very valuable insights by a team of dynamic and up-to-date researchers. All the sub-fields of enquiry are represented here: from gender to age and from motivation to learning styles, thus providing a very useful reference base for theoretical issues, pedagogical implications and further research initiatives in the field. A "must" for researchers in SLA.
Muiris Ó Laoire, Institute of Technology Tralee, Ireland
Overall, this volume makes an up-to-date contribution to the study of individual learner differences in SLA, as well as the development of more individualized language teaching. In particular, experienced researchers and teachers would benefit from its wide array of content.
Tim S. O. Lee, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China in LINGUIST List: Vol-23-587
Most of the chapters are well-written, carefully planned, and contain sound research reports. What is particularly important is the fact that all the research accounts summarise individual variations in learning a foreign language, as opposed to a second language environment. Most of the chapters offer valuable and thorough insights into the issues in focus…The volume will be a useful guide to students in applied linguistics and to young researchers in their selection of interesting and valuable topics for further research.
Anna Michonska-Stadnik, University ofWroclaw, Poland in Anglica Wratislaviensia, XLX, 2012
Janusz Arabski and Adam Wojtaszek both work at the University of Silesia, Poland. Their research interests include psycholinguistics, language acquisition and linguistic pragmatics. They are the editors of Neurolinguistic and Psycholinguistic Perspectives on SLA and The Acquisition of L2 Phonology, both recently published by Multilingual Matters. The editors and the contributing authors are active members of many scientific committees and organizations devoted to the investigation of language acquisition processes, and they regularly participate in many conferences and publish extensively. The author list comprises experienced scholars as well as young and promising researchers.;
