Cognitive Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition: Theories, Assessment and Pedagogy

This book presents comprehensive, thorough and updated analyses of key cognitive individual difference factors (e.g., age, intelligence, language aptitude, working memory, metacognition, learning strategies, and anxiety) as they relate to the acquisition, processing, assessment, and pedagogy of second or foreign languages. Critical reviews and in-depth research syntheses of these pivotal cognitive learner factors are put into historical and broader contexts, drawing upon the multiple authors’ extensive research experience, penetrating insights and unique perspectives spanning applied linguistics, teacher training, educational psychology, and cognitive science. The carefully crafted chapters provide essential course readings and valuable references for seasoned researchers and aspiring postgraduate students in the broad fields of instructed second language acquisition, foreign language training, teacher education, language pedagogy, educational psychology, and cognitive development.

Zhisheng (Edward) Wen, (Ph.D., Chinese University of Hong Kong) is a Professor of Applied Linguistics at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Richard L. Sparks (Ed.D., University of Cincinnati) is a Professor Emeritus of Special Education in the Mount St. Joseph University’s Department of Graduate Education, Ohio, USA.

Adriana Biedroń (Ph.D., University of Adam Mickiewicz, Poznań, Poland) is Professor of English at the Faculty of Philology, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, Poland.

Mark Feng Teng (Ph.D., Hong Kong Baptist University) is an Associate Professor at the Center for Linguistic Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai China.