Researching and Teaching Speech Acts with Young L2 Learners - (Early Language Learning in School Contexts) (Paperback)

About the Book

This book introduces the main concepts and research findings of second language pragmatics in relation to young language learners. It also explores issues in teaching pragmatics and conducting pragmatics research with children, demonstrating how participant-centred data elicitation methods can complement traditional methods.

Book Synopsis

This book introduces the main concepts and research findings of second language pragmatics in relation to young language learners. It also explores issues in teaching pragmatics and conducting pragmatics research with children, demonstrating how participant-centred data elicitation methods can complement traditional methods.

Review Quotes

...this book is a useful resource for conducting pragmatics research involving young L2 learners. It is strongly
recommended for university students looking to enter the field of L2 pragmatics because of its easy-to-understand coverage of important concepts and detailed examples. It is also strongly recommended for language teachers who wish to incorporate pragmatics instruction into their classrooms, particularly those teaching young children [...] a great introduction, review, and call for more research involving an important yet understudied area of YLL pragmatic research.

...this book is a useful resource for conducting pragmatics research involving young L2 learners. It is strongly
recommended for university students looking to enter the field of L2 pragmatics because of its easy-to-understand coverage of important concepts and detailed examples. It is also strongly recommended for language teachers who wish to incorporate pragmatics instruction into their classrooms, particularly those teaching young children [...] a great introduction, review, and call for more research involving an important yet understudied area of YLL pragmatic research.

--Alexander Holmberg and Naoko Taguchi, Northern Arizona University, USA, Journal of Pragmatics 239 (2025) 1-3

This book, written from a child-centered perspective, is an excellent and long-awaited contribution to applied linguistics. The details on data elicitation techniques appropriate for children, as well as the practical applications of speech acts in teaching, are valuable resources for both researchers and practitioners working with young learners around the globe.

This book, written from a child-centered perspective, is an excellent and long-awaited contribution to applied linguistics. The details on data elicitation techniques appropriate for children, as well as the practical applications of speech acts in teaching, are valuable resources for both researchers and practitioners working with young learners around the globe.-- "Yuko Goto Butler, University of Pennsylvania, USA"

This groundbreaking volume skilfully ties together theory, research, and pedagogical insights in L2 pragmatics, bringing systematic attention to young learners as an increasingly important population. The approach to L2 pragmatics is fresh, dynamic, and offers a clear vision of successful teaching and research that will appeal to advanced students and language teachers alike. A landmark contribution to the field.

This groundbreaking volume skilfully ties together theory, research, and pedagogical insights in L2 pragmatics, bringing systematic attention to young learners as an increasingly important population. The approach to L2 pragmatics is fresh, dynamic, and offers a clear vision of successful teaching and research that will appeal to advanced students and language teachers alike. A landmark contribution to the field.-- "Troy McConachy, University of New South Wales, Australia"

This long-awaited coursebook addresses a hitherto under-represented area in most Applied Linguistics, teacher education and TESOL programs. The detailed presentation of various research methods suitable for this age group will equip both novice and experienced researchers with invaluable tools for academic work in this innovative and growing field.

This long-awaited coursebook addresses a hitherto under-represented area in most Applied Linguistics, teacher education and TESOL programs. The detailed presentation of various research methods suitable for this age group will equip both novice and experienced researchers with invaluable tools for academic work in this innovative and growing field.-- "Karen Glaser, Leipzig University, Germany"

About the Author

Milica Savic is Professor of English and Applied Linguistics at the University of Stavanger, Norway. Her research focuses on L2 pragmatics, linguistic politeness, pragmatics instruction and research with children. Her publications include a monograph Politeness through the Prism of Requests, Apologies and Refusals. A Case of Advanced Serbian EFL Learners, a co-edited volume Email Pragmatics and Second Language Learners, as well as papers in a number of edited volumes and peer-reviewed journals.

Anders Myrset is Associate Professor of ELT Methodology at the University of Stavanger, Norway. His research explores the teaching and development of pragmatic competence, (meta)pragmatic awareness of young EFL learners and issues related to research with children, and has appeared in various peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. He is an executive board member of the International Association for Teaching Pragmatics and an author of ELT textbooks for young language learners.

Maria Economidou-Kogetsidis is Professor of English and Applied Linguistics at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Her research spans L2 and intercultural pragmatics, cross-cultural communication, linguistic politeness and L2 email pragmatics. She has published widely in edited volumes and peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Pragmatics, the ELT Journal and the Language Learning Journal. She is the co-editor of the edited volumes Interlanguage Request Modification and Email Pragmatics and Second Language Learners (John Benjamins).