Introduction to Language Development

Introduction to Language Development, Second Edition offers a highly accessible introduction to the complexities of language development. The textbook is designed for use in language acquisition courses in undergraduate and graduate speech-language pathology programs to facilitate both teaching and learning. Complex terminology and theories are explained through definitions and examples to assure that students are able to grasp the content. Within the second edition of this text, students are presented with language factors -- syntax, semantics, phonology, morphology, and pragmatics -- as well as the cognitive abilities that underlie language development. Multilingual and multicultural differences are explored throughout. Other highlights include:

• Within each chapter, case studies, chapter objectives, and study questions are provided to support students' understanding of the main points
• Case studies allow instructors to involve students more fully in classroom discussion, along with developing their critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Chapter objectives allow students to understand the scope and goals of the chapter
• Study questions allow instructors to engage students in discussions of the material and assure students grasp and retain the information
• Tables and figures provide examples and evidence that elaborate and clarify the information presented
• A comprehensive glossary of key words in each chapter helps students locate the definitions of key terms

New to this edition:

• A PluralPlus companion website with multiple choice questions that assess students knowledge of the content in each chapter and PowerPoint lecture slides for instructors to present material from each chapter
• Updated to reflect current research throughout
• Expanded focus on evidence-based practice
• Improved readability through the use of boxes, explanations, and definitions *A greater number of figures and tables for deeper comprehension

*Note Regarding Access to Supplementary Content Online: This book comes with related materials hosted on a PluralPlus companion website. If you purchase or rent a used copy of the printed book, the code to access the website printed inside the book may have been previously redeemed/used or be incorrect and you will NOT be able to use it. To guarantee access to the supplementary materials on the website, it is recommended you purchase a new/unsused copy of this book directly from Amazon or the publisher, Plural Publishing, Inc. If you purchase from other resellers, check with the reseller regarding the validity of the access code before completing your purchase. The publisher will not replace inactive access codes to customers renting or purchasing used books from Amazon or via other resellers.

Sandra Levey, PhD is a faculty member at the City University of New York, Lehman College. She received her PhD in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and an MA in Linguistics from Stanford University, with a minor in African Studies. Dr. Levey has been designated by ASHA as a Board Recognized Specialist in Child Language. She has received research grants for study at Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria, and has served as a consultant in Bratislava, Slovakia, for a study of Slovakian children’s morpheme acquisition and as a guest lecturer for speech-language pathologists and linguists from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. In 1985, she was the Conference Coordinator of the Stanford Child Language Research Forum for the Stanford University Department of Linguistics. Dr. Levey’s research and publications have focused on bilingualism and cultural differences, and she has presented her research efforts at national and international conferences. She is the editor and chapter author of Language Development: Understanding Diversity in the Classroom, a textbook designed to help pre-teachers understand children’s language development and the language diversity found in classrooms.