The Interaction between Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory

Dear Colleagues,

Linguistic and cognitive approaches continue to be in central in researching how second language acquisition happens. Second language acquisition research looks at linguistic theory and models to develop researchable hypotheses which provide an insight into how language develops. Second language acquisition research has, for example, benefitted a great deal from linguistic theories such as generative theories. Scholars in this field use concepts from linguistic theory to measure and investigate their applicability in second language acquisition. On the other hand, second language acquisition research should and has influenced linguistic theory.  There is a huge database available in second language acquisition research which is suitable and available to test linguistic theories.

This Special Issue will publish papers form this bidirectional perspective:

1. Research papers/studies in second language research where linguistic concepts are at the basis for the  development of specific questions and hypothesis or are at the basis of the main points/arguments presented;
2. Research papers/studies on linguistic theories or linguistic models which examine second language research findings to further develop or understand these theories or models.

Tentative Completion Schedule

Abstract Submission Deadline: 20 April 2025 
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 20 September 2025
Full Manuscript Deadline: 20 December 2025

Letter

The main purpose of this Special Issue is to publish papers broadly investigating the interaction between language acquisition and linguistic theory. If you are interested in submitting a manuscript, you must initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 400–600 words summarizing your intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor Alessandro Benati  ([email protected]) or to the Languages Editorial Office ([email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information.

Best,
Alessandro

The Editor

Alessandro Benati is professor at University College Dublin (Ireland). He has held positions in several British and overseas institutions. He is known for his work in second language acquisition, and he published ground-breaking research on the pedagogical framework called processing instruction. His research on processing instruction has recently been driven by the use of new online measurements (e.g., eye tracking, self-paced reading, reaction times). Alessandro has coordinated national and international high-impact research projects which have been influential in determining educational policy and had an impact in providing effective language teacher training programmes. He is the author and co-author of several research monographs, peer-reviewed articles in high-ranked journals, and editor and co-editor of book series and scientific journals such as Cambridge Elements in SLA and Instructed Second Language Acquisition. 

He was a member of the sub-panel for Modern Languages and Linguistics for the Research Excellence Framework for England (REF 2021), and he is Honorary Professor at Your SJ University (UK), University of Hong Kong, and Visiting Professor at Anaheim University (USA).

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Benati
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Languages is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• second language acquisition
• linguistics theory
• language development
• mental representation
• mind
• brain