Theory construction in second language acquisition / Geoff Jordan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jordan, Geoff.

Series:

Language learning and language teaching ; v. 8.

Language learning and language teaching, 1569-9471 ; v. 8

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Second language acquisition--Philosophy.

Second language acquisition.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (313 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam ; Philadelphia : J. Benjamins Pub., c2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Recently, many SLA researchers have adopted a postmodernist approach which challenges the assumption that SLA research is a rationalist, scientific endeavour. The resulting epistemological arguments, plus problems of theory proliferation, contradicting theories, and theory domain, hinder progress towards a unified theory of SLA. Theory Construction in SLA addresses these problems by returning to first principles; it asks whether there is such a thing as reliable knowledge, what is special about scientific method, and how we can best explain SLA. It is the first book to use the philosophy of science in order to examine the epistemological underpinnings of SLA research and evaluate rival theories of SLA. Part One explores the central issues in the philosophy of science, defends rationality against relativists, and offers Guidelines for theory assessment. Part Two examines different theories of SLA and evaluates them in terms of how well they stand up to the Guidelines.

Contents:

Theory Construction in Second Language Acquisition

Editorial page

Title page

LCC page

Dedication page

Table of contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

The Guidelines (Abridged)

Part 1 Some fundamental issues concerning the construction and assessment of theories of SLA

1 Key terms and current problems in SLA

2 Research methodology

Notes

3 Recent relativists

4 In defence of rationalism

5 The construction and assessment of theories of SLA

Part 2 A critical rationalist review of some hypotheses, models and theories of SLA

6 Chomsky

Note

7 The role of UG in an explanation of SLA

8 Approaches to SLA that offend the guidelines

9 Signs of progress

10 Explaining SLA

Bibliography

Name index

Subject index

The series LANGUAGE LEARNING &amp

LANGUAGE TEACHING.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [267]-285) and indexes.

ISBN:

9786612160646

9781282160644

1282160648

9789027295767

902729576X

OCLC:

70771474