Introduction to the Special Issue: Learners’ outcomes and effective strategies in early second language learning

As early second language learning is increasingly considered fundamental in children’s development and as early language learning programmes are encouraged both at institutional and societal levels, research has expanded in scope from a narrow focus on age to examine the interplay between variables affecting language learning. In this introductory article to the special issue, we first provide an overview of the field of early second and foreign language learning and how it has changed over the last few years. Next, we report challenges and strategies that should be tackled both in research and in pedagogical practices. These include teacher education and use of teaching strategies, the use of multilingual practices, bilingual and CLIL programmes and teachers’, students’ and parents’ beliefs about language learning at an early age. We conclude with an overview of the articles and book reviews included in this special issue.