Читать книгу Second Language Learning in the Early School Years: Trends and Contexts - Victoria A. Murphy - Страница 3

I have hugely enjoyed the process of preparing this volume, and have learned a tremendous amount. I have been so inspired by all the exciting research that is being conducted around the world addressing key issues in the area of child L2 learning and I feel very privileged to be a part of such a vibrant research community.

Most things worth doing are rarely possible without the help and support of a number of people, and writing a book is by no means an exception. There are so many people to thank who supported me throughout the process of putting this volume together that I fear the acknowledgements section itself could be as long as one of the chapters! However, there are some individuals who absolutely must be identified, for without them this book would never have been completed.

I would first like to thank Julia Bell, Sophie Rogers, and Ann Hunter from the Oxford University Press for the enormous support they have given to me throughout the entire process of getting this volume to print. Julia in particular has been a constant source of encouragement, from the earliest stages and throughout, and I have very much enjoyed our discussions. I am exceedingly grateful for Ann’s patience and skill, not to mention her positive words of wisdom. Other friends and colleagues to whom I owe a debt of gratitude and who have been generally supportive include Ernesto Macaro, Kathy Sylva, Robert Vanderplank, Catherine Walter, Robert Woore, and the lovely Kate Nation. I cannot express adequately the appreciation I feel towards Janet Enever, Fred Genesee, Johanne Paradis, and Silvina Montrul, all of whom kindly reviewed chapters and offered excellent advice and critical commentary (though of course all errors are my own!). Additionally, I owe a great debt to Nick Ellis, Patsy Lightbown, Nina Spada, and Lydia White for setting me on my current path and generally being both positively influential and supportive.

On a more personal note, I would like to thank my friends and family for being a steady source of encouragement; Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, and Nina Simone who were constant companions throughout the writing; and lastly but most importantly, Evan and Cameron who have taught me the most important lessons of all, and Robin, the breath of my life.