ABSTRACT

Over the past decade, the focus of inquiry into the psychology of SLA has shifted from the analysis of various characteristics within individuals towards a greater consideration of individuals’ dynamic interactions with diverse contexts. This revisit of the bestselling The Psychology of the Language Learner reflects on these developments by challenging some of the assumptions upon which the original text was based, maintaining the familiar structure of the original, while situating the discussion within a very different theoretical framework.

Written in a lively, accessible style, the book considers how the field has evolved and maintains a keen eye on the future, suggesting exciting new directions for the psychology of SLA. The Psychology of the Language Learner Revisited will appeal to students and researchers in a wide range of disciplines, including applied linguistics, second language acquisition, modern languages, and psychology.

chapter |14 pages

Introduction

Individual Differences—Then and Now

chapter |20 pages

Personality

chapter |37 pages

Language Aptitude

chapter |34 pages

Motivation

chapter |34 pages

Learning Styles and Cognitive Styles

chapter |30 pages

Learning Strategies and Self-Regulation

chapter |24 pages

Other Learner Characteristics

chapter |14 pages

Conclusion

Looking Back and Forward