Foreword

In recent twenty years,there has been a rapid development in the study of second language acquisition (SLA),which is partially the result of globalization,and,above all,the outcome of the fast-increasing number of people learning a second language.In line with this trend,China has incorporated a growing number of research centers and faculties engaged in SLA research,and has also imported a large number of academic books on this area.However,these academic books do not seem to cater to the "mass market" in Chinese universities,especially to the large population of undergraduate students majoring in foreign languages,because these books are difficult in light of both concept and language.Students are daunted even when they start reading the first page.Actually,most of these academic works are written for researchers,mainly intended for careful perusal,but unsuitable for classroom instruction.The course book written by my colleague,Mr.Zhang Hongwu,fills the gap in the "mass market".

First,the course book gives a brief introduction to the most influential achievements in the field of second language acquisition research in the past forty or so years.Mr.Zhang has been engaged in research and teaching of second language acquisition for quite a few years,and has a good command of the fundamentals in the field.This can be seen in the organization of the book.The first chapter is reader-friendly,intending to appeal to students'interest in SLA.The second chapter focuses on interlanguage and relative findings in interlanguage studies.The main part of the book,from Chapter Three to Chapter Six,presents a brief and comprehensive introduction to linguistic,psychological,socio-cultural,and pedagogical aspects of second language acquisition.Chapter Seven is on second language data and data analysis.The whole book can be used as a textbook for classroom instruction in one academic semester.

Second,the course book is tailor-made for undergraduates,as well as graduate students who have little or no prior knowledge of SLA.The language is less complicated in grammar and contains the smallest possible number of technical jargon.In spite of this,it has not missed the mention of the latest development in SLA research.For example,interlanguage pragmatics discussed in Chapter Two is one of the most appealing issues in SLA research in recent years,which touches upon the use,not the usage,of learner language in real contexts.The connectionist/emergentist model of second language acquisition discussed in Chapter Four is an up-to-date model loaned from cognitive science.Usage-based model of language,which is gaining popularity among SLA researchers in recent years,is included and introduced in Chapter Four.

Third,the creative and inspiring exercises designed at the end of each chapter may help readers review the essential points in the same chapter.The mini-discussion corner provides readers with a chance to explore relevant issues in SLA research.Most of the questions in the assignment are open and suitable for both teachers and students to discuss in and/or after class.

The author,Mr.Zhang is a hardworking and intelligent teacher.While teaching second language acquisition,he is capable of stimulating students'interest in this subject with his wise and insightful remarks,as well as his rational and logical thinking.Mr.Zhang has been working on the book for twenty or so months,and most of the contents are based on the elaboration of his teaching materials.Personally,I am full of confidence that the book will be of theoretical and practical value in both the teaching and learning of a second language.

Liu Hongmei

Professor of Applied Linguistics

October,2016