Exploring Learner Language

This website is adapted from Exploring Learner Language, an innovative workbook and accompanying videos designed to provide hands-on experience studying the language used by English learners. The videos feature six adult English as a second language (ESL) learners and (for comparison) two native speakers of English, all completing the same individual and paired oral and written communication tasks. In carrying out a guided analysis of the language the learners use in these tasks, teachers can develop instructional skills in identifying their students’ language-learning needs. 

The Exploring Learner Language website is designed to be used either as part of an introductory class on second language acquisition (SLA) or in self-study by individuals. In either context, the materials on this site are meant to be supplemented by readings from SLA textbooks, classroom-based lectures and discussions, or conversations with peers. Suggestions for further readings are provided at the end of each chapter.

Learn more about the history of the work behind Exploring Learner Language and watch a video, originally recorded by the New School in April 2010, featuring authors Tarone and Swierzbin, who provide an introduction to the materials. 

How to use the materials on this website: 

• Each chapter presents a different window on learner language; related books and articles providing in-depth information on the topic are cited throughout.
• Each chapter contains exercises in which readers explore the language learners use and the way it is developing.
• Links to the resources needed to complete exercises (videos and transcripts) are included within each chapter.
• These materials are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
• How to cite: Tarone, E., & Swierzbin, B. (2025). Exploring Learner Language. https://carla.umn.edu/learnerlanguage/book 

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