L2 learners’ target language use has been examined for various purposes, including assessment of the learners’ proficiency and examination of the process of language learning. That is, target language use in the real life tasks on the level as automatized as that of native speakers represents the goal of L2 learning. More importantly, however, target language use has been proposed as a process that provides the learning opportunities, particularly since 1980s by communicative approach to SLA. Until the learners can communicate effortlessly without being conscious of the form of the language, how learners’ attention and awareness are or should be directed to the language form and meaning has been an important issue among the recent SLA theories, summarized as the interface/non-interface debate. This paper discusses how different major SLA theories view learners’ attention and awareness of language form during language use and how it has been measured for both process and result research. Finally, a recent neurobiolobical SLA model is introduced in terms of its methodological and theoretical contribution to SLA research.

Based on dual coding theory, this study predicted that pictorial typography (PT), a device involving direct visual integration of a written word into a picture of its referent, is more effective for ESL children’s pre-literacy skills, than the non-integrated paring of word and picture on flashcards (FC). The two types of instruction were given to thirty-two Korean children aged six and seven, both embedded within the WordWorld (WW) episodes, an animated TV series developed by PBS. Results from the pre- and post-test design were as follows. PT was more beneficial than FC for the two upperlevel skills, vocabulary and reading fluency, while they were equally beneficial for the two lower-level skills, letter recognition and phonemic awareness. The two mediating variables, gender and age, were shown to have partial effects as well. Dual coding theory and the importance of instructional intervention have been supported by this study.