Age, Motivation, and Theories of L2 Learning

  • Pia Sundqvist
  • Liss Kerstin Sylvén
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the New Language Learning and Teaching Environments book series (NLLTE)

Abstract

There are several ways to learn an L2 and different opportunities and conditions for doing so. Learners differ with regard to, for example, aptitude for language learning, willingness to communicate, self-confidence, level of anxiety, and cognitive ability. They also differ with regard to the age at which they start learning the L2, where they live, and the extent to which they are motivated for L2 learning. In this chapter, we address theories in second language acquisition, with an emphasis on those appearing after what has become known as the social turn (Block, 2003) and specific L2 motivation theories. In addition, we discuss teacher empowerment, age effects in L2 learning, and the benefits and drawbacks of starting L2 teaching early. There is also a section on different forms of assessment, and assessment in relation to learner age.

Keywords

Language Learner Target Language Language Acquisition Young Learner Summative Assessment 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • Pia Sundqvist
    • 1
  • Liss Kerstin Sylvén
    • 2
  1. 1.Karlstad UniversityKarlstadSweden
  2. 2.University of GothenburgGöteborgSweden

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