Will the field of second language acquisition adopt a biological perspective? The authors of this cutting edge book hope so. Research points to a link between certain neurobiological mechanisms and second language acquisition. Trained in neurobiology, the authors of this book use science to develop biological accounts of various aspects of learning. In each chapter, one adult second language acquisition case illustrates the acquisition and use of four language learning processes--motivation, procedural and declarative memory, memory consolidation and attention. Learning is mediated by the brain. Therefore, while behavioral theories have been successful at focusing language learning research, these models ultimately have to be answerable to the brain’s structure and function. The Neurobiology of Learning: Perspectives from Second Language Acquisition describes and integrates a number of neurobiological mechanisms that underlie the various cognitive processes of second language learning.

This book assumes some background in the fundamentals of neurobiology. It will be of interest to researchers and students in the fields of applied linguistics, neuroscience, and cognitive science. It could also be used as recommended reading for graduate courses in neurolinguistics, language pathology and rehabilitation.