This work identifies developmental stages in the acquisition of object pronouns by instructed second language learners of Spanish. It examines learners ranging from beginner to advanced, where the most advanced are themselves teachers of Spanish language courses. Study abroad experience is also a variable in the data.

The book explores language production from a functionalist perspective, examining form-to-function and function-to-form mappings. It provides insights into related developments in production, placement and processing of object pronouns. Detailed analysis reveals that the most powerful predictor of performance across levels and within levels for each of these is the level of the learner.Formal instruction and the study abroad experience is examined, both the specific instruction on object pronouns and overall exposure to instruction.

There are several features of this text that highlight the significance of its contributions ... Unlike many books that simply summarize the findings of previous studies, the authors critically review the previous research, recognize the gaps, and address them through detailed studies of the acquisition of object pronouns ... In conclusion, this book achieves what it states in the title - a comprehensive description of instructed SLA as it relates to object pronouns. * Modern Language Journal *

Paul A. Malovrh is Assistant Professor at the University of Carolina, USA.

James F. Lee is Head of the Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia.