Language Development from Theory to Practice, Pearson New International Edition, 2nd edition

For students taking introductory language development courses.

A balanced and multidimensional survey of language development rich in learning tools and features.

Language Development from Theory to Practice provides students with a user-friendly approach to key topics in language development, including research methods, theoretical perspectives, major language milestones from birth to adolescence, and language diversity and language disorders. The research based and theoretical foundation found in this engaging text is designed to prepare students for advanced study in subjects associated with language development by summarizing the various theoretical orientations that have guided research and practice. With an emphasis on the relevance of the material to students’ current and future experiences in clinical, educational, and research settings, this text also focuses on individual differences in language development, including those of children who are developing language in diverse cultures or who are developing language atypically. </INST> </P></ITEM></BL></P>

· A multidisciplinary focus allows readers to best understand the constantly evolving and diverse world of language development study.

· Multicultural considerations in understanding language development promotes students’ awareness of the way culture interacts with language development for children from diverse backgrounds within and beyond North American communities.

· An emphasis on research familiarize students with the use of evidence-based practices as well as the most current empirical findings in children’s language achievements.

· A reader-friendly format and style promotes student learning with boldfaced terms, helpful figures and graphs, discussion questions, and an engaging writing style.

· Learning tools and features, include focus questions, chapter summaries, resource lists, boxed inserts.

· A companion website located at www.pearsonhighered.com/pence2e, offers students reflection questions, study items, and helpful website links to related sites of interest for further study.

· A CD-ROM that contains language samples of children from birth through 13 years of age and video clips of research paradigms used to learn about language development gives students an opportunity to hear and visualize language development and language development concepts.

· Beyond the Book boxed features allow students to witness and appreciate the language development achievements happening around them by observing and analyzing others’ language, speech, and communication.

· Preparing for the Praxis boxed features include case studies followed by three essay-type questions, giving readers an opportunity to think critically and develop solutions to problems similar to those found on the Praxis exam.

· A more conversational tone and less technical terminology makes it easier for students to enter the world of language development without being overwhelmed or confused by more advanced topics.

· New and expanded discussions of the Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES), language in aging adults, cochlear implants, sociocultural variation in children’s narratives, and infants’ use of gestures, among other topics.

· Reorganized content within each chapter gives the information throughout the text a more logical sequence and makes it easier for students to better understand all facets of language development