The Acquisition of Russian as a Second Language
A Research Overview
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 25. February 2026
Book
Hardback
220 pages
978-1-032-57283-3 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
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
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate, Professional, and Undergraduate Advanced
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
512 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-57283-3 (9781032572833)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Book
approx. 02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€64.70
Not yet published
Persons
Tania Ionin is Professor and incoming Head of Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as an Associate Editor of Language Acquisition. She is one of the editors of the 2024 Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition, Morphosyntax, and Semantics.
Tatiana Luchkina is Assistant Professor of Linguistics and Director of the MA TESOL Program at Stony Brook University.
Tatiana Luchkina is Assistant Professor of Linguistics and Director of the MA TESOL Program at Stony Brook University.
Content
Chapter 1: Introduction: second language acquisition and bilingualism in the context of Russian
Chapter 2: Methodological Approaches in Current Research on Second Language Acquisition of Russian
Chapter 3. Phonetics and phonology in Russian as a Second Language
Chapter 4: Lexical Knowledge in Russian as a Second Language
Chapter 5. The nominal domain in Russian as a second language: Case and gender
Chapter 6. The verbal domain in Russian as a second language
Chapter 7: Word order and discourse in Russian as a second language
Chapter 8. Developing Pragmatic Competence in Russian as a Second Language
Chapter 9: Summary and Conclusion
Index
Chapter 2: Methodological Approaches in Current Research on Second Language Acquisition of Russian
Chapter 3. Phonetics and phonology in Russian as a Second Language
Chapter 4: Lexical Knowledge in Russian as a Second Language
Chapter 5. The nominal domain in Russian as a second language: Case and gender
Chapter 6. The verbal domain in Russian as a second language
Chapter 7: Word order and discourse in Russian as a second language
Chapter 8. Developing Pragmatic Competence in Russian as a Second Language
Chapter 9: Summary and Conclusion
Index