SLRF 2013 - Second Language Research Forum

We are proud to welcome the 2013 Second Language Research Forum to Utah, a state well known for its natural, diverse and complex landscape. We feel that it is a perfect fit when discussing the complexity, context, and communication within SLA.
Second language (L2) acquisition has been called a “natural” phenomenon, but is it natural socially, biologically or cognitively? Recent research suggests that language is a “complex adaptive system” involving cognitive, social and innate mechanisms, which all interact, adapt, and develop in complex ways (Ellis and Larsen-Freeman, 2009). Whether or not researchers adhere to this notion, there is little dispute that language is complex and affected by the context in which it occurs and the communication of ideas between people. Thus, this conference welcomes research that investigates the complexity of L2 acquisition, the contexts in which it is learned, and the communication it creates.
About the Venue
Established in 1875 and nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, Brigham Young University is known for its academically focused student body, successful performing arts and sports programs, and extensive language programs. With students from 115 different countries, 75% of the student body speak an L2 at high intermediate to superior proficiency.