The first encounter with a norm: Perception and analysis of L2 initial input

On the background of Coseriu’s notion of norm, native input processing by second language learners is considered with respect to perception and grammatical analysis. The controlled input of a fourteen-hour Polish course designed within the VILLA project (Varieties of Initial Learners in (Second) Language Acquisition) is discussed as the norm presented to learners with regard to transparency and frequency of the word forms selected and modality of input presentation, either with or without focus on form and corrective feedback. Learners appear to be sensitive to the modalities of presentation, which favor processing strategies on the basis of form frequency or of attention to the phonetic forms of words.