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Chapter 8. L2-French acquisition of discursive competence

A focus on methods
  • Pascale Leclercq
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Approaches and Methods in French Second Language Acquisition Research
This chapter is in the book Approaches and Methods in French Second Language Acquisition Research

Abstract

This chapter critically reviews the way discursive competence has been studied in French SLA, to identify the methodological strengths and limitations of current research. A particular focus is taken on the methods used to track the development of the means to produce cohesive speech in L2 French, at different ages of onset and proficiency levels, and across various conceptual domains; and on the approaches taken to the development of information structure at discourse level in a variety of tasks. We used a sample of 37 studies on L2 French, spanning 30 years of research on L2 development of discursive competence, to shed light on the methodological contribution of L2 French in this area to wider SLA, before identifying promising avenues for future research.

Abstract

This chapter critically reviews the way discursive competence has been studied in French SLA, to identify the methodological strengths and limitations of current research. A particular focus is taken on the methods used to track the development of the means to produce cohesive speech in L2 French, at different ages of onset and proficiency levels, and across various conceptual domains; and on the approaches taken to the development of information structure at discourse level in a variety of tasks. We used a sample of 37 studies on L2 French, spanning 30 years of research on L2 development of discursive competence, to shed light on the methodological contribution of L2 French in this area to wider SLA, before identifying promising avenues for future research.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Chapter 1. Exploring research methods in French as a second language 1
  6. Section I. Exploring French learner language
  7. Chapter 2. Approaches and methods for the study of the L2 production of French segmentals and prosody 20
  8. Chapter 3. Methodological consideration in research on French second-language speech perception and spoken word recognition 44
  9. Chapter 4. Researching fluency in L2 French 70
  10. Chapter 5. Examining vocabulary knowledge in languages other than English 95
  11. Chapter 6. Methodological considerations in the study of morphology in L2 French 126
  12. Chapter 7. Methods and approaches in second language research of L2 French syntax 152
  13. Chapter 8. L2-French acquisition of discursive competence 174
  14. Chapter 9. Approaches and methods in research on sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in second language French 206
  15. Section II. Exploring learners and contexts of learning in second language French
  16. Chapter 10. CA-SLA 234
  17. Chapter 11. Researching L2 French input and instructed learning 261
  18. Chapter 12. Methodology in research on individual differences and French as a second language 284
  19. Chapter 13. Child L2 acquisition of French 308
  20. Chapter 14. Approaches to investigating French as a third language 334
  21. Conclusion
  22. Chapter 15. Research approaches and methods in second language French 364
  23. Index 377
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.9.08lec

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Chapter 1. Exploring research methods in French as a second language 1
  6. Section I. Exploring French learner language
  7. Chapter 2. Approaches and methods for the study of the L2 production of French segmentals and prosody 20
  8. Chapter 3. Methodological consideration in research on French second-language speech perception and spoken word recognition 44
  9. Chapter 4. Researching fluency in L2 French 70
  10. Chapter 5. Examining vocabulary knowledge in languages other than English 95
  11. Chapter 6. Methodological considerations in the study of morphology in L2 French 126
  12. Chapter 7. Methods and approaches in second language research of L2 French syntax 152
  13. Chapter 8. L2-French acquisition of discursive competence 174
  14. Chapter 9. Approaches and methods in research on sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in second language French 206
  15. Section II. Exploring learners and contexts of learning in second language French
  16. Chapter 10. CA-SLA 234
  17. Chapter 11. Researching L2 French input and instructed learning 261
  18. Chapter 12. Methodology in research on individual differences and French as a second language 284
  19. Chapter 13. Child L2 acquisition of French 308
  20. Chapter 14. Approaches to investigating French as a third language 334
  21. Conclusion
  22. Chapter 15. Research approaches and methods in second language French 364
  23. Index 377
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