The Gifted Language Learner
The Gifted Language Learner
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Summary
Many marvel at those who seemingly acquire language(s) easily. Bringing to bear evidence from across related disciplines, and profiling a number of such individuals, this book takes a critical look at what 'giftedness' in language learning really means, and how we can better explore its many sources.
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The Gifted Language Learner by Alene Moyer
Language learners beyond early childhood are scarcely expected to reach native-like abilities in their new language, yet some do. Are these individuals uniquely gifted? If so, are such gifts innate, or the result of intense drive, optimal experience, opportunity, or something else altogether? Bringing together theory and empirical work from across disciplines, this ground-breaking book aims to better understand the perennial mystery of giftedness in language learning (GLL). Incorporating quantitative, qualitative, and case study data, this analysis demonstrates the need to reach across cognitive, neural, emotional, psychological, and social lines to understand native-likeness in a second language. All such 'outliers' face limits, potentials, and choices. What they do in the face of these is key. With this complexity in mind, specific recommendations are provided to re-orient the research toward an appreciation of the individual's role, and a clearer understanding of the inherent balance of nature and nurture in GLL.
Alene Moyer is Professor Emerita in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at the University of Maryland. Her research examines long-term outcomes in second language acquisition. Her previous books include Foreign Accent: The Phenomenon of Non-native Speech (2013) and Age, Accent and Experience in Second Language Acquisition (2004).
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781108710862 |
| ISBN 10 | 1108710867 |
| Title | The Gifted Language Learner |
| Author | Alene Moyer |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Year published | 2021-06-24 |
| Number of pages | 250 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |