This paper speaks to the issue of investigating mental states in second language research. Although researchers have been attracted to mentalistic techniques for many years. such research techniques have not received widespread endorsement. Recently, applied linguists have come to apply such techniques to the study of language learning out of the realization that learners themselves may have important insights into how they learn. First, we present a theoretical model for researching mental states. Second, we provide a methodological framework for researching mental states in second language learning. Third, we discuss the studies that we personally have conducted which have investigated mental states. Fourth, we refer to our ongoing research efforts in this area. Finally, we suggest ways that findings from mentalistic research could be directly applied to improving language learning.
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