In this review we show how magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a constructive tool for language research and review MEG findings in second language (L2) research. MEG is the magnetic analog of electroencephalography (EEG), and its primary advantage over other cross-sectional (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography) functional imaging methods is the superior temporal resolution it affords. After an overview of MEG technology, research exploring visual language processing in L2, nonnative phonemic contrasts and syntactic processing in L2 are reviewed. We also review MEG investigations of the advantages of bilingualism and of language lateralization differences across languages with different characteristics. (Contains 4 figures and 2 tables.)