The Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition and Sociolinguistics

This state-of-the-art volume explores the role of social factors in second language acquisition, covering various theoretical paradigms, methodologies, populations, contexts, and language groups. It synthesizes current and past research, contextualizes key issues, and sets the future research agenda for second language variation. It is a valuable resource for scholars and advanced students in SLA, applied linguistics, education, and related fields.

Format: Hardback
Length: 438 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This cutting-edge volume presents a thorough, accessible, and exceptionally interdisciplinary exploration of the multifaceted role of social factors in second language acquisition (SLA) across diverse theoretical paradigms, methodological traditions, populations, contexts, and language groups. Renowned scholars from across the globe have synthesized the latest research and historical contributions, contextualized the central concerns, and envisioned the future research agenda on second language variation, encompassing languages studied or taught less commonly. This comprehensive resource will be invaluable to scholars and advanced students of SLA, applied linguistics, education, and related fields, as it sheds light on the social dimensions of language learning in both research and instructional contexts.

The study of second language acquisition (SLA) has long been recognized as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses various social factors. These factors include social interaction, social motivation, social identity, and social cognitive processes. Social interaction plays a crucial role in SLA, as it provides learners with opportunities to practice and acquire language in real-life situations. Social motivation, on the other hand, drives learners to engage in language learning and maintain their motivation over time. Social identity is also important in SLA, as it influences learners' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards the language and its speakers. Social cognitive processes, such as attention, memory, and language processing, also play a significant role in SLA, as they influence how learners perceive, remember, and use language.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the role of social factors in SLA among researchers and educators. This interest has led to the development of new theoretical paradigms and methodological approaches that aim to better understand the relationship between social factors and SLA. One of the most prominent theoretical paradigms in the study of social factors in SLA is the sociocultural perspective. This perspective emphasizes the importance of social interaction and cultural context in language learning. According to the sociocultural perspective, language is not just a tool for communication but also a part of social identity and culture. Learners acquire language not only to communicate with others but also to participate in social groups and maintain their cultural identity.

Another important theoretical paradigm in the study of social factors in SLA is the social cognitive perspective. This perspective focuses on the cognitive processes that underlie language learning and how social factors influence these processes. According to the social cognitive perspective, learners acquire language by processing social information, such as the speech of their peers and the social context in which they are learning. Social factors, such as social motivation, social support, and social anxiety, can influence learners' cognitive processes and their ability to learn language.

In addition to theoretical paradigms, there have been various methodological approaches used to study social factors in SLA. These approaches include ethnographic research, classroom-based research, and longitudinal research. Ethnographic research involves observing and documenting the social interactions of learners in their natural environments. Classroom-based research involves observing and analyzing the social interactions of learners in classroom settings. Longitudinal research involves tracking the development of learners' language skills over time and examining the role of social factors in their language acquisition.

The study of social factors in SLA has also been conducted across different populations and contexts. For example, research has been conducted on the role of social factors in SLA among immigrant populations, bilingual populations, and multilingual populations. Immigrant populations are often faced with the challenge of learning a new language in a new cultural context, and social factors, such as social support, social anxiety, and acculturation stress, can play a significant role in their language acquisition. Bilingual populations are often exposed to multiple languages and cultures, and social factors, such as language proficiency, language choice, and language maintenance, can influence their language development. Multilingual populations are often exposed to multiple languages and cultures, and social factors, such as language proficiency, language choice, and language maintenance, can influence their language development.

In conclusion, the study of social factors in SLA is a rapidly evolving field that encompasses various theoretical paradigms, methodological approaches, populations, contexts, and language groups. Social interaction, social motivation, social identity, and social cognitive processes play a crucial role in SLA, and researchers and educators are increasingly interested in understanding how these factors influence language learning. The sociocultural perspective, social cognitive perspective, and various methodological approaches have contributed to our understanding of the role of social factors in SLA, and there is still much to be learned about the relationship between social factors and SLA. As language learning continues to evolve and become more diverse, it is important to continue to study social factors in SLA to better understand and support learners in their language acquisition journey.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367861636