Second language acquisition and linguistic variation -- Linguistic outcomes of second language acquisition in a study abroad context -- Extralinguistic factors affecting L2 development during study abroad -- The research project: an overview -- The acquisition of ne deletion by Irish learners of French -- The variable use of nous/on by Irish learners of French -- The acquisition of /l/ deletion by Irish year abroad speakers of French -- The variable use of future temporal reference -- The role of gender in the acquisition of sociolinguistic competence in an L2 during the year abroad -- Spending a year abroad : do we acquire sociolinguistic competence?