Implicit+explicit Learning of Languages

9780122374753

0122374754

How do people learn language? This volume concerns human learning in general and the ability to acquire second, foreign and native languages in particular. It is generally agreed that there are three quite different types of human learning: implicit learning (a non-conscious, automatic abstraction of structure); explicit learning (where, as in problem solving, the learner searches for information and builds and tests hypotheses), and learning as a result of explicit instruction. But how do these processes result in language acquisition? The motivation for this book is that no one discipline can answer this question. In order to help people learn languages, we need an understanding of the cognitive processes involved. This volume brings together contributions from key researchers in psychology, linguistics, philosophy, computing and neuroscience to determine separate types of human learning, their representations and their interactions. Implicit and Explicit Learning of Languages presents the first of such collaborative insights into language acquisition and instruction, with particular emphasis on second language learning. It will be essential reading for students, researchers and practitioners in applied linguistics, cognitive science, cognitive psychology and second language acquisition.