College For Women library issue 4 2013-2013 | Page 8

Selected SLA References in PSCW Library
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Dr. Dina El-Dakhs, English Department

Second Language Acquisition (often abbreviated as SLA)
is a sub-discipline of applied linguistics which is devoted to
studying the process by which people learn any language in
addition to their first language or mother tongue. That is, the
term “second” can apply to a third, fourth, fifth, etc. language
that the person learns. The discipline, which is broad-based and
relatively new, is interdisciplinary as it related to psychology,
cognitive psychology and education in addition to a number of
other sub-disciplines of Linguistics. The discipline has been
flourishing at a rapid pace since the 1960s and is now at the
upfront of Applied Linguistics research.
So, if you are already an SLA fan or just curious to learn more
about SLA, here are some recommended references already
available at the PSCW Library which you can enjoy reading:
(1) Klein, W. (1986). Second language acquisition. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
The book, although written more than two decades ago, is still a
recommended reference for anyone interested in learning more
about SLA. The book consists of two parts. The first part offers
an overview of the “current” state of the art through discussing
some SLA fundamental facts, focal issues, well-known
theories, dimensions and consequences for second language
(L2) instruction. The second part is dedicated to analyzing and
assessing SLA from a learner’s perspective through discussing
four problems all L2 learners may face in the process of SLA.
(2) Larsen-Freeman, D. & Long, M. H. (1991). An introduction
to second language acquisition research. Essex, England:
Pearson Education.
The book offers a comprehensive, yet a highly accessible, study
of SLA that would be of great interest to L2 teachers as well
as students from a variety of disciplines including Linguistics,
Applied Linguistics, Psychology, Psycholinguistics and foreign
language education. The book does not require any prior
knowledge of SLA as it presents an easy-to-join journey into
SLA research, history and development, and findings on learner
language. The book also contains indispensible information on
a number of relevant topics including the linguistic environment
for SLA, learner variables, SLA theories and L2 formal
instruction.
(3) Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
This reference book stands as a real comprehensive introduction
to SLA research. The book, consisting of more than 800 pages,
includes seven parts that cover a variety of relevant topics. In
addition to presenting an overview of SLA, the book describes
learner language in depth, explains important internal and
external factors in SLA and discusses the significance and types
of individual learner differences and learner strategies. The last

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part is devoted to the rapidly expanding research on classroom
second language acquisition, which is of growing interest to
a number of SLA researchers, L2 practitioners and Applied
Linguistics/ L2 learning students.
(4) Ellis, R. (1997). Second language acquisition. China: Oxford
University Press.
The book, a textbook for ENG342 Language Acquisition for
the Applied Linguistics Major, offers a perfect overview of
SLA for novice SLA enthusiasts. The book introduces the basic
principles of SLA, discusses the nature of learner language in
detail, summarizes important individual differences that may
affect SLA and finally comments on the relation between SLA
and L2 instruction.
(5) Fotos, S. &Nassaji, H. (eds.) (2007). Form-focused
instruction and teacher education. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
The book, which includes chapters by prominent figures in
SLA, such as Nich Ellis, Peter Skehan and Teresa Pica, presents
an overview of form-focused instruction as a relatively recent
and rapidly growing approach to second language grammar
teaching. The leading SLA practitioners and researchers
contributing to the book cover the field of form-focused
instruction from a variety of perspectives, including theoretical
concerns, classroom practices and teacher education.
(6) Dörnyei, Z. (2009). The psychology of second language
acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
The book delivers a systematic overview of the relevant
psychological areas and theories relevant to SLA as a response
the increasing convergence between Psychology and Linguistics
in the 21st century. The book is mainly designed to appeal to
postgraduate students, researchers, teachers and trainers. The
book, which is highly recommended by authorities in the field,
covers diverse themes including language and the brain, n