Cognitive Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition. Theories, Assessment and Pedagogy

This book presents comprehensive, thorough and updated analyses of key cognitive individual difference factors (e.g., age, intelligence, language aptitude, working memory, metacognition, learning strategies, and anxiety) as they relate to the acquisition, processing, assessment, and pedagogy of second or foreign languages. Critical reviews and in-depth research syntheses of these pivotal cognitive learner factors are put into historical and broader contexts, drawing upon the multiple authors' extensive research experience, penetrating insights and unique perspectives spanning applied linguistics, teacher training, educational psychology, and cognitive science. The carefully crafted chapters provide essential course readings and valuable references for seasoned researchers and aspiring postgraduate students in the broad fields of instructed second language acquisition, foreign language training, teacher education, language pedagogy, educational psychology, and cognitive development.

Contenidos
Frontmatter
Acknowledgments
Contents

Foreword
Peter Skehan

1. SLA and Individual Differences: An Overview
Zhisheng (Edward) Wen and Richard L. Sparks

PART I: AGE, INTELLIGENCE, APTITUDE AND AFFECT
2. The Age Factor and the Critical Period Hypothesis
Adriana Biedron

3. Intelligence
Adriana Biedron

4. Foreign Language Aptitude
Adriana Biedron

5. Language Aptitude, Psychological and Affective Factors

Adriana Biedron

PART II: MEMORY, ATTENTION AND NOTICING
6. Phonological and Executive Working Memory
Zhisheng (Edward) Wen

7. Consciousness, Attention and Noticing
Zhisheng (Edward) Wen

PART III: LEARNING STRATEGIES, METACOGNITION AND SELF- REGULATION
8. Language Learning Strategies
Mark Feng Teng

9. Metacognition
Mark Feng Teng

10. Self-Regulation
Mark Feng Teng

PART IV: L2 SKILLS, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, AND ANXIETY
11. L2 Reading and Writing Skills
Richard L. Sparks

12. L2 Learning Difficulties and Disabilities
Richard L. Sparks

13. L2 Anxiety: An Affective Factor or a Linguistic Variable?
Richard L. Sparks

EPILOGUE
14. Individual Differences in SLA?Looking Back and Looking Forward
Richard Sparks and Zhisheng (Edward) Wen

Author Profiles

Index