Psycholinguistics of Bilingualism: Implications in Formal Processes of Language Acquisition

Abstract In this article we discuss the interrelationships between contextual and individual variables in the acquisition and use of L2, based on researches developed by our team. We assume that in the late acquisition of L2 there is variability in the proficiency of the learners, and that it is necessary to (re)know the effects of the individual variables in the teaching-learning processes. The experiments, which were created according to the Psycholinguistics of bilingualism and carried out in formal contexts of acquisition, evaluated associations between attention and working memory systems and the performance of bilinguals in their L2. The results, although incipient, indicate that effects of pedagogical approaches can be affected by individual differences. In addition, they reveal the need of more experiments that focus these variables on L2 teaching-learning processes.