Some aspects of a general systems theory of second language acquisition are as follows: the system is greater than the sum of its parts; each component has a distinctive role in the overall operation of the system; some components may be entire systems themselves; the workings of the system proceed according to patterns, and rules for any given system are limited to that system. A systems perspective of grammar and learner and the interaction of language and learner is presented. Language learning can be interpreted as the building of a system of rules that account for the linguistic behavior of native speakers. Because each language can be attacked component by component, the course developer and teacher should present material from each component in a way and in an order that facilitates learning. A systems approach to account for variance in student achievement involves factoring out distinct dimensions or components and examining which factors exist independently and at what level of analysis. (SW)