How can theories of language development be understood and applied in your language classroom?By presenting a range of linguistic perspectives from formal to functional to cognitive, this book highlights the relevance of second language acquisition research to the language classroom. Following a brief historical survey of the ways in which language has been viewed, Whong clearly discusses the basic tenets of Chomskyan linguistics, before exploring ten generalisations about second language development in terms of their implications for language teaching. Emphasising the formal generative...

This book proposes that research into generative second language acquisition (GenSLA) can be applied to the language classroom. Assuming that Universal Grammar plays a role in second language development, it explores generalisations from GenSLA research. The book aims to build bridges between the fields of generative second language acquisition, applied linguistics, and language teaching; and it shows how GenSLA is poised to engage with researchers of second language learning outside the generative paradigm. Each chapter of Universal Grammar and the Second Language Classroom showcases ways in...

This book proposes that research into generative second language acquisition (GenSLA) can be applied to the language classroom, demonstrating ways that generative linguistics can enhance the expertise of teachers in language and second language development.

Using engaging examples from a wide variety of languages, this book provides an accessible overview of linguistic theory and language acquisition research. It has been developed especially for readers with a background in education and teacher training, and no prior formal linguistic training.