The insights, techniques and skills needed to understand why some adult students have difficulties with learning a second language are presented in this book. The author's premise is that what appears on the surface is often not the real source of the learner's difficulty. A correct diagnosis of the cause of the problem is important if intervention is to prove effective.

The book presents a large number of theories and models of learning, and covers areas including: learning styles and personality dispositions; student motivation, self-efficacy and anxiety; and how to interview students.