Annotated Bibliography

Bigelou, Martha; Schwarz, Robin L. National Institute for Literacy. Adult English Language Learners with Limited Literacy. Washington, DC. Setember 2010. Web. 1 May <http://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/ELLpaper2010.pdf >.

2013.

Schwarz and Bigelows article reviews several researches focused on language acquisition, literacy development in adults and children, cognition and brain functioning, adult education, and professional development. The focus of this paper is on learners with limited literacy or low literacy. The authors argue first and second language oral proficiency influences the development of literacy skills (p.5). Along the article it is possible to comprehend why adult English language learners lack print literacy, strengths and challenges that adults with limited literacy bring to adult education programs, the relation between adult language learning culture and literacy acquisition, as well as many relevant aspects related to how teach learners in a such situation. Finally, authors point some questions for research and practice out.
Sewell, H. Douglas. The Good Language Learner.2003.PDFfile. Web. < http://www.bhamlive1.bham.ac.uk/Documents/college-artslaw/cels/essays/secondlanguage/SewellSLA.pdf> Sewell offer us a review of the literature regarding several aspects of language acquisition. First, he attempts to identify the characteristics of a good language learner regarding three areas: personality characteristics, learning styles, and learning strategies. Later, he analyzes how these characteristics work together and how context can affect the way success at language learning is measured. Sewell also discusses different factors that can work in favor to become better at language learning. Lastly, the author explains the applications of his findings in the context of his own experience teaching English in Korea. This paper could be useful to help us define and understand what expertise constitutes when it comes to learning a second language. It is a very short paper, only fifteen pages, what makes it very practical time wise . It is a good piece, that could help us start our research about expertise on the right track, since it includes a list of useful primary resources regarding the topic. Zare, Pezhman. Language Learning Strategies Among EFL/ESL Learners: A Review of Literature. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 2.5 (2012): 162-169. Web.5 May.2013<http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_2_No_5_March_2012/20.pdf> In this paper, Zare does a review of the literature regarding language learning strategies among EFL/ESL learners. Just like Sewell, Zera approaches the concept of the good language learner. The author also defines the concept of language learning strategy and provide us of several classifications of language learning strategies. The notions of metacognitive strategies, cognitive strategies, and socioaffective strategies among others, are explained in this paper. Finally, the author discusses the factors that influence the choice of strategy and how learning strategies influence language learning achievement.

This paper is a nice complement to Sewells article because it defines in greater detail some of the concepts he mentions. And just like Sewells writing, it could be useful to understand and define expertise in second language acquisition. The list of references resources is also of great value.