Instructed second language acquisition (ISLA)

Abstract

Definitions are proposed for instructed second language acquisition (ISLA) and ISLA research. The quantity of research is partly driven by external geopolitical forces, its quality improved by such methodological developments as the growing deployment of statistical meta-analyses, new technology, especially eyetracking, and new instrumentation, e.g. Hi-Lab, a measure of aptitudes for both explicit and implicit language learning. Three major constraints on the design of L2 instruction are that: (1) the learning task is too large for either explicit or implicit learning alone; (2) direct effects of instruction are limited to manipulations of the linguistic environment, with intended cognitive processes ultimately under learner control; and (3) development of implicit knowledge is the priority. Three learning conditions that speak to what can best be achieved through incidental and intentional language learning are illustrated by recent studies of (1) resetting L1 parameters and dealing with blocking, and (2) instance learning of lexical items and collocations. Comparisons of L2 learning under the three conditions can help resolve long-standing disagreements over the merits of codefocused and meaning-focused instructional approaches.