The Acquisition of Russian as a Second Language: A Research Overview

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. This 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 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.