The authors, each from a different background, share a passion for sociocultural theory. Each author brings stories, data and experiences from her area of expertise: second language pedagogy and teacher development (Linda); classroom teaching with second language and bilingual students across a range of contexts (Penny); and teaching and research in bilingual education and second language learning and testing (Merrill). Merrill Swain is Professor Emeritus in the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Department at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) of the University of Toronto. Penny Kinnear is Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Linda Steinman is Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University in Toronto.

This textbook introduces the reader to concepts of sociocultural theory, through a series of narratives illuminating key concepts of the theory. This 2nd edition references recent studies that provide important instances of Vygotskian sociocultural theory in second language education and research, as well as questions for collaborative discussion.