This is an introduction to the field of second language learning for students without a substantial background in linguistics. Written by an educationalist specialising in the teaching of a second language, and a linguist specialising in second language acquisition, this book provides an up-to-date introductory survey of the most active and significant theoretical perspectives on the subject. Individual chapters focus on major current schools in SLL theory, offering both summaries and outlines of different theoretical perspectives with an element of evaluation to the area explored. Starting off with an overview of the key concepts and issues in SLL, as well as a history of research in the area, the book covers Universal Grammar and the cognitive approaches, the input and interaction hypotheses, and functionalist, sociocultural, and sociolinguistic perspectives, and ends by looking towards the future of second language learning research.