The Acquisition of French As a Second Language: A Research Overview

The Acquisition of French as a Second Language: A Research Overview is the first text to present, in one place, a comprehensive, systematic overview of research on the acquisition of French as a second or additional language.

Drawing on classic and current empirical studies on learner cohorts at different proficiency stages in various learning contexts all over the world, Martin Howard expertly synthesises and analyses a range of linguistic features, factors affecting learning, theoretical approaches or conceptual frameworks, and methodological or experimental issues in French SLA, and connects these insights from L2 French to key applied and theoretical questions in SLA research more broadly. The text further offers details of key corpora of L2 French data and sets the agenda for future work in French SLA by indicating gaps in the literature and recommending directions for future research.

This unique, cohesive volume will be an invaluable foundational resource to advanced students and researchers in SLA, bilingualism/multilingualism, French & Romance studies, applied linguistics, language education and related areas to those who are interested in LOTEs (languages other than English) and French SLA in particular. It will also be useful to those studying to become French second language educators.

Martin Howard is currently Vice-Head (Global) of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences at University College Cork.