Contents


I. Introduction: The Relationship of Theory to Practice 1
     A. Three Approaches to Method 2
          1. Theory of second language acquisition 2
          2. Applied linguistics research 3
          3. Ideas and intuitions from experience 3
     B. Interactions Among Approaches to Practice 4
     C. What the Three Approaches Have to Say About Method 6
     D. Goals of This Book: to reintroduce teachers to theory and hopefully to gain their confidence again 7
     Notes 8
II. Second Language Acquisition Theory 9
     A. Five Hypotheses About Second Language Acquisition 10
          1. The acquisition-learning distinction 10
          2. The natural order hypothesis 12
               (a) Transitional forms 14
          3. The Monitor hypothesis 15
               (a) Individual variation in Monitor use 18
          4. The input hypothesis 20
               (a) Statement of the hypothesis 20
               (b) Evidence supporting the hypothesis 22
          5. The Affective Filter hypothesis 30
     B. The Causative Variable in Second Language Acquisition 32
          1. The causative variables 32
          2. Language teaching: does it help? 33
               (a) When language teaching helps 34
               (b) When language teaching does not help 35
          3. Exposure variables 37
          4. Age 43
          5. Acculturation 45
III. Providing Input for Acquisition 57
     A. The Potential of the Second Language Classroom 58
     B. Limitations of the Classroom 59
     C. The Role of Output 60
          1. "Conversation" and language acquisition 61
          2. Output and learning 61

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