VanPatten reading: Intro-p.55

The into to this book, talked about SLA research and how often the research done doesn't always provide answers to the questions teachers ask about second language instruction. He also introduces the purpose/layout of the book which is meant to introduce/explain SLA research in a concise format that is easily read by non experts in the field. This is something I can definitely appreciate. The rest of the selection discusses the "5 givens" of SLA, which are that SLA:
1. Involves the creation of an implicit system
2. Is complex and consists of different processes
3. Is dynamic but slow
4. Most learners will never achieve native-like competence
5. There is a difference between acquisition of an implicit system and acquisition of skill
The importance of input(language that learners hear/read and process for meaning) in the acquisition of a second language was also discussed.
One thing that surprised me in this text was they said that the context in which you learn a second language doesn't make a difference. I personally don't agree with this, as I would think a person learning a language in the second language context would learn the language faster since they are surrounded by the language both in and outside of the classroom. But perhaps he was referring to the process of learning, and that this process is the same for both contexts and wasn't talking about speed or ease.