Understanding Second Language Acquisition & Foreign Language Learning

In Chapter One a longitudinal study is made to reveal what relationship is between second language acquisition (SLA) and foreign language learning by tracing back foreign language teaching in the west to half century ago; and it is found that the study of second language acquisition is the natural result of the foreign language learning/teaching research work. However, early before its establishment as a subject, the goal of its research changed from mainly serving the classroom teaching to focus on the process in which people learn a language other than their mother tongue, inside or outside of classroom. Chapter Two presents some linguists' point of view with regard to the relationship of second language acquisition and foreign language learning, two important figures, Krashen and Ellis, being introduced. Some other linguists who touch this topic like Spolsky and Littlewood and Chinese experts Liu Runqing and Jiang Zukang are also mentioned in this chapter. In Chapter Three the differences between second language acquisition and foreign language learning are discussed in semantic, pragmatic and psychological perspectives and in terms of input and interaction, as well as the interference of the first language. Chapter Four tries to make it clear that we make the distinction not for the sake of telling the difference but for the purpose of serving the further study of both SLA theory and foreign language pedagogy.