Researching and Teaching Speech Acts with Young L2 Learners

Beneath the Linguistic Surface

By (author) Milica Savi, Anders Myrset, Maria Economidou-Kogetsidis

Publication date:

10 December 2024

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

234x156mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781800412705

This book introduces the main concepts of pragmatics as they relate to the young English language learner classroom and research with young second language learners (YLLs). It considers the speech acts which are particularly relevant to YLLs and presents research findings on learners’ development of speech act perception and production. It provides pre- and in-service second language (L2) teachers, teacher educators and researchers with an understanding of young learners’ pragmatic development and with ideas for research-based approaches and specific classroom activities to help foster speech act development in the YLL classroom. Moving beyond the research methods traditionally employed in L2 pragmatics research, it also demonstrates how participant-centred data elicitation methods can be effective when conducting research with children. This book will appeal to researchers, advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in applied linguistics and TESOL, as well as pre- and in-service primary school L2 teachers and teacher educators.

This long-awaited coursebook addresses a hitherto under-represented area in most Applied Linguistics, teacher education and TESOL programs. The detailed presentation of various research methods suitable for this age group will equip both novice and experienced researchers with invaluable tools for academic work in this innovative and growing field.