Book Review: Introducing Second Language Acquisition

Running head: BOOK REVIEW
Book Review
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1BOOK REVIEW
The Book “Introducing Second Language Acquisition” written by Muriel Saville
Troike and Karon Barto introduces us to the field pertaining to Second Language Acquisition
(SLA). There are three purposes for writing this book- this book can help in providing basic
knowledge related to second language learning phenomena, stimulation of interest and for
offering practical help to that of the second language learners. The book talks about the
integration of linguistic, psychological and the social perspectives in relation to SLA after
recognizing differential nature of that assumptions. The book has been written in a manner
that maintains the balance between the quantity and the quality of the representation. The
book focuses on the aspect of second language competence and how this aspect can be
perceived from that of different points of the view.
The book was published by Cambridge University Press which forms a part of that of
University of Cambridge. The press helps in furthering the mission of the University by
spreading knowledge in pursuit of that of education along with learning. The table of contents
of the book reveal that the book has been organized in a logical manner. The first chapter
introduces second language acquisition, second chapter talks about the foundation of that of
Second Language Acquisition, third chapter talks about the element of linguistics, fourth
chapter talks about Psychology in relation to SLA, fifth chapter talks about social contexts in
relation to SLA, sixth chapter talks about the acquisition of knowledge for second learning
and the seventh chapter talks about learning and teaching. The contents of the book have been
organized in a logical manner that makes the matter clear in front of the readers of the book.
The first chapter throws light on the second language and the first language. It talks about the
diversity in relation to learning and the learners. The Second Chapter- Foundations of SLA
talks about the world of the second languages and nature of the aspect of language learning. It
discusses about logical problem in relation to language learning and the frameworks
pertaining to SLA. The third chapter discusses about nature of the language, early approaches

2BOOK REVIEW
to that of SLA and universal grammar. It also discusses about functional approaches in
relation to SLA. The fourth chapter contains material about learning process, complexity
theory and effects of that of multilingualism. The fifth chapter talks about the social along
with cultural knowledge that are embedded within a language. It talks about the categorizing
of objects along with events that can help the second language learners in communicating
effectively. The sixth chapter elaborates on recognising the functioning of the words
grammatically that have a bearing on the aspect of learning the second language. The seventh
chapter talks about the relation between that of language teaching and that of second
language acquisition. It talks about the choice of the linguistic forms in relation to focussed
instruction and the benefits on the basis of the individual factors.
The date of publication of the book is the year 2016 that shows that the information
provided in the book is up-to-date. The content of the book has been updated that makes the
information relevant for the readers. The authors of the book are Muriel Saville Troike and
that of Karen Barto who have wide knowledge in the field. Muriel Saville Troike is an
American linguistics and he is a member of the American Association for Applied
Linguistics. The other books that have been written by the author is “ Perspectives on
Silence”, “ A handbook of bilingual education” and “ Foundations for teaching English as the
second Language”. The other author of the book is Karen Barto who has more than 17 years
of the experience in relation to language teaching along with teacher training. She has a Ph.d
In that of Second Language Acquisition and Teaching that makes the knowledge that she has
in relation to Second Language Acquisition very valuable. The immense knowledge that
these authors have helped in making the book valuable for the readers.
The book states that the second language learner should possess that of real-world
knowledge that can help them in relation to language acquisition. The book talks about the
stages in relation to language acquisition. It talks about the stage of Preproduction that helps