This book has two major themes: firstly, it discusses psycholinguistic and cognitive aspects of language learning, and secondly, it looks at the contrast between universalist accounts of language learning and accounts which focus on individual differences between learners. Interwoven throughout is a focus on practical applications of these themes in task-based learning and language testing.

Winner MLA Kenneth W Mildenberger Prize

"'Peter Skehan systematically analyzes minute increments of carefully presented data and succeeds in foregrounding areas of investigation that have been underrepresented in the second language acquisition research of recent years.' - Kenneth W Mildenberger Award Committee"

Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
1: Comprehension and production strategies in language learning
2: The role of memory and lexical learning
3: Psycholinguistic processes in language use and language learning
4: Models of language learning
5: A rationale for task-based instruction
6: Implementing task-based instruction
7: Processing perspectives on testing
8: Research into language aptitude
9: Issues in aptitude theory: exceptional learners and modularity
10: Learning style
11: Learners, learning, and pedagogy
12: Conclusions

Bibliography
Index