"Second Language Acquisition": - introduces the key areas in the field, including: multilingualism, the role of teaching, the mental processing of multiple languages, and patterns of growth and decline - explores the key theories and debates and elucidates areas of controversy - gathers together influential readings from key names in the discipline, including: Vivian Cook, William E. Dunn and James P. Lantolf, S.P. Corder, and Nina Spada and Patsy Lightbown. Written by experienced teachers and researchers in the field, "Second Language Acquisition "is an essential resource for students and researchers of applied linguistics.