Books by Bill VanPatten

This Element explores the roles of explicit and implicit learning in second language acquisition. The authors lay out some key issues that they take to underlie the debate on the extent to which second language acquisition involves explicit learning, implicit learning, or both. They also discuss what they take to be an oversight in the field: namely, the lack of clear definitions of key constructs. Taking a generative perspective on the nature of language, while addressing alternative approaches at key points, they refocus the discussion of explicit and implicit learning by first asking what must be learned (i.e., what is this mental representation we call "e;language"e; that all functioning humans possess?) The discussion and research reviewed leads to the conclusion that second language acquisition is largely if not exclusively implicit in nature and that explicit learning plays a secondary role in how learners grapple with meaning.

This textbook uses a 'key questions' structure to introduce and break down the main issues in second language acquisition, using clearly defined terms and avoiding jargon. It is perfectly suited to students with no background in linguistics or psycholinguistics, as well as teachers of English and other second languages.

Suitable for beginning Spanish language learners, this title tells the story of a Chilean family and their winery, and of a young US Latino businessman who finds himself intricately involved with the family as his company tries to buy their land.

Presents a video-based text for "Beginning Spanish" that offers language materials. Based on 26 hours of a video drama, this program is meant for use in Spanish classes, as a college course for distant learners, and by individuals studying on their own.