The Acquisition of Russian as a Second Language

A Research Overview

Tania Ionin author Tatiana Luchkina author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Publishing:12th Feb '26

£39.99

This title is due to be published on 12th February, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

The Acquisition of Russian as a Second Language cover

This is the first comprehensive, systematic overview of research on the acquisition of Russian as a second language. Drawing on classic and contemporary empirical studies from diverse learning contexts and proficiency levels, it synthesizes findings across all components of the language.

Tania Ionin and Tatiana Luchkina expertly examine linguistic features and domains, factors affecting learning, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches in Russian SLA. They link insights from L2 Russian research to broader questions in second language acquisition, and include an annotated guide to key L2 Russian corpora. The book also identifies critical gaps in the literature and outlines an agenda for future research.

This cohesive and authoritative resource will be invaluable to advanced students and researchers in SLA, multilingualism, Russian and Slavic studies, applied linguistics, and education, particularly those with an interest in LOTEs (languages other than English) and Russian second language learning. It will also support those preparing to teach Russian as a second language.

A groundbreaking, data-driven analysis of Russian second language acquisition. Responding to the increasingly diverse landscape of language learners, this comprehensive study examines both adult L2 learners and heritage speakers with unprecedented depth and balance. The authors investigate core linguistic domains—phonology, morphology, syntax, and pragmatics—while exploring how age of acquisition, input quality, and cross-linguistic influence shape pathways to mastery. What sets this work apart is its methodological rigor, theoretical sophistication, and systematic comparison across learner populations. Essential reading for researchers in SLA and bilingualism.

Maria Polinsky, University of Maryland

This monograph, a long-awaited exploration of issues in second language acquisition that centers on Russian and spans the linguistic domains from phonology to pragmatics, presents complex theoretical and empirical issues in an accessible form. It will become a standard reading for Russian linguists, psycholinguists, and experts on language pedagogy.

Kira Gor, St. Petersburg State University

The acquisition of Russian as a second language: A research overview is a valuable contribution to the field. Its focus on comparing different learners (children, heritage speakers and adults) allows the authors to impact current debates on age of acquisition, as well as quality and quantity of the input. It is a must-read for scholars and teachers of Russian.

Roumyana Slabakova, University of Southampton

ISBN: 9781032572826

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

224 pages