Lessons from Good Language Learners

This book considers the strategies used by successful language learners, in the light of current thinking and research.

Carol Griffiths (Edited by)

9780521718141, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 April 2008

338 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.54 kg

This edited collection provides a comprehensive overview of the area of sucessful language learning strategies and reviews the literature and research on this subject to date. The book provides a reference base, addresses theoretical issues and considers pedagogical implications. It identifies gaps in our current understanding and suggests useful research initiatives and it considers how all of this relates to successful language learning by unique individuals in a variety of situations. The book is divided into 2 sections: the first deals with learner variables and has chapters on such topics as age, culture, motivation, personality and aptitude. The second covers learning variables such as vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, reading and listening. The writers include many well-established names such as Anna Chamot, Paul Nation and Andrew Cohen as well as some of the best representatives of the new generation of applied linguists.

Contents: Editor's Overview (Carol Griffiths) Prologue (Andrew D. Cohen) Reflections (Joan Rubin) SECTION 1 LEARNER VARIABLES Chapter 1 Motivation (Ema Ushioda) Chapter 2 Age (Carol Griffiths) Chapter 3 Style (Carisma Dreyer) Chapter 4 Personality (Madeline Ehrman) Chapter 5 Gender (Martha Nyikos) Chapter 6 Strategies (Carol Griffiths) Chapter 7 Metacognition (Neil Anderson) Chapter 8 Autonomy (Sara Cotterall) Chapter 9 Beliefs (Cynthia White) Chapter 10 Culture (Claudia Finkbeiner) Chapter 11 Aptitude (Leila Ranta) SECTION 2 LEARNING VARIABLES Chapter 12 Vocabulary (Jo Moir & Paul Nation) Chapter 13 Grammar (Margaret Bade) Chapter 14 Functions (Zia Tajeddin) Chapter 15 Pronunciation (Adam Brown) Chapter 16 Listening (Goodith White) Chapter 17 Speaking (Yasushi Kawai) Chapter 18 Reading (Karen Schramm) Chapter 19 Writing (Louise Gordon) Chapter 20 Teaching/learning method (Carol Griffiths) Chapter 21 Strategy instruction (Anna Chamot) Chapter 22 Error correction (Mike Roberts & Carol Griffiths) Chapter 23 Task and good language learners (Joan Rubin & Pat McCoy) The learner's landscape and journey: A summary (Rebecca Oxford and Kyoung Rang Lee)

Subject Areas: ELT: learning material & coursework [EL], Applied linguistics for ELT [EBAL]