Classroom-oriented research from a complex systems perspective

Journal Title: Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching - Year 2016, Vol 6, Issue 3

Abstract

Bringing a complex systems perspective to bear on classroom-oriented research challenges researchers to think differently, seeing the classroom ecology as one dynamic system nested in a hierarchy of such systems at different levels of scale, all of which are spatially and temporally situated. This article begins with an introduction to complex dynamic systems theory, in which challenges to traditional ways of conducting classroom research are interwoven. It concludes with suggestions for research methods that are more consistent with the theory. Research does not become easier when approached from a complex systems perspective, but it has the virtue of reflecting the way the world works.

Authors and Affiliations

Diane Larsen-Freeman

Keywords

Related Articles

The teaching of pragmatics by native and nonnative language teachers: What they know and what they report doing

The paper focuses on how nonnative teachers of a target language (NNTs) deal with pragmatics in their classes. It starts with a discussion of what pragmatics entails. Next, issues relating to the teaching of pragmatics a...

The role of attitudes in the development of Russian as a foreign language: A retrospective study

The article reports the findings of a retrospective study which looked at Hungarian learners’ attitudes towards Russian people, the Russian language and teachers of Russian. Mixed-methods sequential explanatory design (I...

The anxiety-proficiency relationship and the stability of anxiety: The case of Chinese university learners of English and Japanese

Adopting a longitudinal design, this study investigates the effects of foreign language anxiety on foreign language proficiency over time within English and Japanese learning contexts. It also explores the stability of a...

L2 Spanish apologies development during short-term study abroad

The present study examined the apologies of 18 study abroad (SA) students during a short-term SA experience in Madrid, Spain. Apologies were assessed with a discourse completion task (DCT) consisting of five vignettes th...

Improving reading fluency and comprehension in adult ESL learners using bottom-up and top-down vocabulary training

The current research examines the effect of two methods of vocabulary training on reading fluency and comprehension of adult English as second language (ESL) tertiary-bound students. The methods used were isolated vocabu...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP256577
  • DOI 10.14746/ssllt.2016.6.3.2
  • Views 110
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Diane Larsen-Freeman (2016). Classroom-oriented research from a complex systems perspective. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 6(3), 377-393. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-256577