Includes bibliographical references (p. 267-276) and index.
The observable phenomena of second language acquisition -- Early linguistic approaches to explaining the observable phenomena of second language acquisition -- Sociolinguistic approaches to explaining the observable phenomena of second language acquisition -- Cognitive approaches to explaining the observable phenomena of second language acquisition -- The approach to second language acquisition based on universal grammar -- Parametric variation and transfer in second language acquisition -- Parametric variation and incompleteness in second language acquisition -- Parametric variation, staged development and cross-learner systematicity in second language acquisition -- Parametric variation, variability and the limits of the explanatory power of universal grammar in second language acquisition -- Explanations of variability -- Hypothesis creation and revision -- The development of language processing -- Approaches to learner strategies -- Towards a model of second language acquisition.