Functional Approaches in Second Language Learning and Linguistic Cognition

Abstract

Song discusses language learning from functional approaches, which integrate cognitive and pragmatic perspectives. Studies using this approach emphasize second language learners’ learning process within the sociocultural contexts. Under this perspective, the main focus is on how the learner processes knowledge on different language systems and how he/she develops an understanding of that knowledge in a given social context. In other words, functional approaches view language learning in terms of human cognition process as language structure reflects the patterns of human conceptualization. By discussing functional approaches in second language acquisition, Song links language structure with people’s experiences. Since experiences are filtered into verbalized events through language, language expresses thoughts. This is the foundation of this book, second language acquisition as a process of mode switching.