How Second Languages are Learned An Introduction

Many people can achieve good levels of communicative ability in a second language (L2). To do so they face five challenges: breaking into the L2, matching forms to meanings, learning the syntax of the L2, learning the semantics of the L2 and learning how the L2 is used in connected discourse and in different contexts. The chapter provides an example for each challenge and how L2 learners deal with it. It also considers whether learning an L2 makes you smarter.