Suggested books on language acquisition

Open Forum
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I’ve been listening to Steve’s podcasts and watching his videos for several months. I recently began studies of Portuguese using LingQ, my first LingQ project.

I’d like to learn more about language acquisition and wondering if Steve has recommended any books on the topic in general. Or, perhaps the community has some suggestions? Just looking to better understand the process.

Thanks in advance!
Doug

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Hi Doug, I came across a MOOC in the past that I think you might find interesting. It’s led by Professor Barbara Oakley, who explains the mechanics of learning in a very clear and insightful way. Her findings are applicable across all disciplines, and she has also published books on the subject. The online course should still be available for free (Learning how to learn). Best Nicole

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Thanks Nicole ~ I spent a little time reviewing her web page. She’s impressive. There’s a lot there that intrigues me. Thanks for pointing me in her direction. Much appreciated!
Best, Doug

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I liked “Common ground”.

Non books: Liam Printer and Bill VanPatten.

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I haven’t read it yet but hve heard lots of good reviews about “Fluent forever : how to learn any language fast and never forget it” by Gabriel Wyner and have reserved it at the library.

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Muchas gracias por la recomendación: He encontrado videos de la profesora Bárbara Oakley y los estoy estudiando aquí mismo en LingQ. Thank you very match.

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Thank you. As it happens, I got the book out of the library and am reading it now. I find the explanation of the various theories, SAS for instance, to be very helpful. It helps me better appreciate the LingQ algorithms, thereby enhancing my motivation.

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Books that I’ve read:

Fluent Forever - Gabriel Wyner

How I Learn Languages - Kato Lomb (Steve K. has mentioned this one occasionally)

How To Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately - Boris Shekhtman

I think each of these offers some useful ideas.

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Thanks so much. Currently reading Forever Fluent. Very interesting and motivating. Will be checking out the others. Much appreciated.

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https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/resources/paul-nations-resources/paul-nations-publications/publications

Paul Nation’s “What do you need to know to learn a foreign language?” is quite an interesting read.

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Thanks! I’ve added it to my list.

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I’m about to start reading 50 Sounds

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He (Paul Nation) seems well respected. There are youtube videos too.

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The best book on language that I have read is The Unfolding of Language by Guy Deutscher. It isn’t about learning languages, rather it discusses the nature of language, what it is, how it evolves, and how it might have arise. It is fascinating.

As regards language learning, I found Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching by Richards and Rodgers informative. This book presents the main theories, including those in use today, and those that are no longer used. Some have been discredited, but for some reason they remain popular. Krashen’s theory fits into that camp, and perhaps it remains popular as Krashen is charismatic and it can be used to market online language apps. Be careful of Bill Van Patten, he is an adherent of Krashen.

I would be wary of any one theory, we all seem to learn in different ways, using different tools and techniques, albeit with some common features e.g. a lot of input is beneficial.

I enjoyed How To Speak Any Language Fluently by Alex Rawlings. He has learnt countless languages to a high level with an excellent accent in each. His methods might sound mundane and boring, but language learning is all about hard work, and it can be dull at times, especially in the A1 to lower B2 stages.

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If youre learning Portuguese, Orlando Kelm’s series is your best friend. Lingua da gente is free on podcast apps, go through those meticulously, and then on Lingq there is an intermediate continuation, 6-7 courses with 30 or so monologues each (called “communication exercises”), which i wish I had known about when i finished the lingua da gente because listening comprehension is the most important skill and the hardest to practice at the advanced beginner/low intermediate stage

someome made this guide too which i mostly agree with Essential Guide To Learning Brazilian Portuguese Using Lingq

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[quote=“BabyRuth, post:15, topic:1332936”]
Thanks! This looks really interesting. Much appreciated,.

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Lots of good information here. Thanks so much. I’m going to be digging deeper into the resources you’ve shared. Much appreciated.

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Here’s the best link I could find:

How to Learn More Deeply and Creatively: Concrete Tools from Neuroscience and from Zombies
https://inc.ucsd.edu/events/2013-03-12/

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I find it interesting, that going on three weeks, this topic offers no slamdunk recommendations.

I understand. I’m a reader. I have looked for such books. When I learned to program long ago, Kernighan & Ritchie’s “The C Programming Language” was a recommended must-read and deservedly so.

I find nothing comparable when it comes to language learning. What I’ve learned about language learning, I’ve cobbled together from blogs and videos.

I’ve concluded: People learn lots of ways. People teach lots of ways. Language learning is a “good enough” world that comes down to motivation and time spent.

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I agree. As someone trained in physics, a rigorous discipline, I find the woolliness of language learning frustrating. I have read that the most successful learners are those who take control of their own learning. Perhaps we also need to find out empirically which methods we enjoy, and which work for us. I know I would approach a third L2 quite differently from my second, but oddly enough in a similar manner to my first as most apps are rubbish.