Data Analysis In SLA Research And Its Implications For FLT

Given that learning is an internal process which cannot be observed directly, researchers make inferences as to the nature of the process in part from an analysis of the product, learner language. In order to improve the quality of these inferences, it is useful to examine the historical development of modes of data analysis, noting how different data analysis procedures evolved, with each successive type of analysis reflecting a new stage of awareness of what second language acquisition entails. And the understanding of the second language acquisition helps to improve language teaching.In second language acquisition research, there are different development stages, i.e. contrastive analysis, error analysis, performance analysis,discourse analysis and so on. Each makes its unique contribution to second language acquisition research. This paper gives an account of contrastive analysis, error analysis and performance analysis and analyzes their application and limitations in second language teaching in order to improve the understanding of the process of second language acquisition. And from these modes of data analysis, the author gets some implications for foreign language teaching.