In this study, the author addresses the questions of what constitutes the knowledge of language, and how this knowledge is acquired and used.

The model is makes quantitative and cross-linguistic predictions about child language. It may also be deployed as a predictive model of language change which, when the evidence is available, could explain why grammars change in a particular direction at a particular time.

Linguistics investigates the systems underlying language, speech, and language use. Linguists seek to develop an understanding of the rules and laws that govern the structure and use of particular languages and the manner in which these interact with internal systems and processes (interpretation, speech perception, and production) and with the outside world (acquisition, use, change and role in society). The articles in this volume present a valuable addition to answering three important questions about knowledge in linguistics: What is knowledge in linguistics, how is it acquired, and how is it put to use? Apart from the data on the specific phenomena addressed in the articles, the book presents insight into the palette of present-day linguistics. In this way, it aims to break open the division of linguistics into subfields thereby making possible cross-fertilisation.

In the World Library of Educationalists series, international experts themselves compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces – extracts from books, key articles, salient research findings, major theoretical and practical contributions – so the world can read them in a single manageable volume. Readers will be able to follow the themes and strands and see how their work contributes to the development of the field. Language and the Joint Creation of Knowledge draws on the most prominent writing of Neil Mercer, covering his ground-breaking and critically acclaimed work on the role of talk in education, and on the relationship between spoken language and cognition. The text explores key themes, relating theoretical ideas to research evidence and to practical educational situations that improve children’s lives. Offering students and researchers a clear, accessible and up-to-date account of a sociocultural perspective on the relationship between spoken language and cognition, it explains one of the key themes in Neil Mercer’s work – that humans have uniquely evolved the capacity to think together, or ‘interthink’. Offering a crucial insight into the work of Neil Mercer, this selection showcases why his approach has become the dominant paradigm in educational research, and why it is increasingly influential in the psychology of teaching and learning. This unique collection of published articles and chapters, which represent the key themes and range of his research over the last 40 years, will be of interest to all followers of his work and any reader interested in the role of language in education.

Teacher Language Awareness (TLA) is an area of increasing interest to those involved in language teacher education. This book provides an introduction to the nature of TLA, assesses its impact upon teaching and its potential impact on learning. The book focuses specifically on grammar. It aims to encourage teachers and others involved in language education to think more deeply about the importance of TLA ad to adopt a more principled approach to the planning of those parts of their programmes assosciated with it.

Language in the Schools: Integrating Linguistic Knowledge Into K-12 Teaching addresses two important questions: *What aspects of linguistic knowledge are most useful for teachers to know? *What kinds of activities and projects are most effective in introducing those aspects of linguistic knowledge to K-12 students? The volume focuses on how basic linguistic knowledge can inform teachers' approaches to language issues in the multicultural, linguistically diverse classroom. The text also includes examples of practical applications of language awareness to pedagogy, assessment, and curriculum construction, which support the current goals of language arts, bilingual, and ESL education. Language in the Schools: Integrating Linguistic Knowledge Into K-12 Teaching contributes to the resources on linguistics and education by taking prospective teachers beyond basic linguistics to ways in which linguistics can productively inform their teaching and raise their students' awareness of language. It is intended as a text for students in teacher education programs who have a basic knowledge of linguistics.

What exactly is meant by the term 'knowledge'? What are the different kinds of knowledge? How might this be shared in a dialogue between two interlocutors, within a shared common ground, in the realization of successful speech acts? This volume investigates the nature of language, culture, knowledge, and context, and their interrelationships. Each of these is defined - in terms of their relationship to language in particular, and to identify their respective properties. Cultural and other knowledge is also found within the linguistic landscape and the artifacts within our environment. The book explores the ways that language is central to expressions of knowledge and culture. It draws a comprehensive and representative picture of the dimensions of meaning, emerging from the interrelationship between these domains of language, culture, knowledge, and context.

Teaching children to develop as language users is one of the most important tasks of a primary school teacher. However, many trainee teachers begin their careers with a low knowledge base. Language Knowledge for Primary Teachers is the reader friendly guide designed to address this. This book provides a clear explanation of the knowledge and understanding required by teachers to implement the objectives of the National Curriculum for English. It reveals how an explicit knowledge of language can enrich their own and their children’s spoken English. It will give teachers confidence in developing children’s enjoyment and comprehension of reading and writing so children can use their language skills in the real world. Updated to include references to the new curriculum, this book explores: The importance of subject knowledge in supporting children in language and literacy; Language knowledge within the context of authentic and meaningful texts, from fiction to ‘Facebook’; The links between subject knowledge and real teaching situations; New areas on talk and dialogic learning; Increased emphasis on ICT and cross-curricular study. This book will appeal to all trainee and newly qualified teachers needing to achieve both the demands of subject knowledge for Qualified Teacher Status, and a firm understanding of the expectations of the National Curriculum for English.

If teachers are to successfully develop their students' English language skills it is vital that they overcome any existing lack of confidence and training in grammar and language concepts. Language Knowledge for Secondary Teachers is an accessible book aiming to equip secondary teachers with the knowledge they need to teach language effectively. It clearly explains the essential concepts for language study, introduces the terminology needed for ‘talking about language’ and shows how this knowledge can be applied to the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. This new edition has been fully updated to take into account changes to the curriculum and developments in digital and new media language. Written by an experienced teacher and consultant the book includes: All the grammar knowledge that a secondary teacher needs; Contemporary language examples to which new teachers can relate; A companion website with a numerous activities for use in the classroom linked to each chapter and supported by detailed commentaries to explain how these work in practice (www.routledge.com/ross). By making language teaching a fun and enjoyable experience, this text offers a refreshing resource for any secondary teacher daunted by the prospect of teaching grammar and language.

This book offers a comprehensive perspective on metalinguistic knowledge and processes, and presents a coherent argument for building an element of language awareness into the language curriculum at all educational levels. It offers a balanced perspective on first and second language acquisition, classroom talk, language use in the multicultural work place, translation, Esperanto, whole language, historical perspectives, critical pedagogy, the education of language teachers, the teaching of grammar, phonology, and writing.