Home Linguistics & Semiotics Chapter 12. Methodology in research on individual differences and French as a second language
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Chapter 12. Methodology in research on individual differences and French as a second language

  • Klara Arvidsson and Fanny Forsberg Lundell
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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 concerns methods used in research on individual differences and second language (L2) French learning. The importance of individual differences for L2 learning is increasingly recognized in the SLA literature (e.g., Dewaele, 2009, 2011; Moyer, 2014; Douglas Fir Group, 2016), and a relatively large number of studies focus on L2 French. In this chapter, we first make an account of the existing research, starting with the research contexts that are represented and the methods that have been used. Then, we provide an overview of the linguistic variables and the individual differences that have been investigated. We then describe existing study designs and data collection instruments, as well as some ethical considerations related to participant recruitment, data elicitation, data storage, and data sharing. Finally, we discuss the existing research methods from a critical point of view, highlighting their contribution to and limitations within research on individual factors and second language acquisition in general. This leads us to identify areas that remain to be investigated and to suggest ways to advance the study of individual differences and L2 French learning from a methodological point of view.

Abstract

This chapter concerns methods used in research on individual differences and second language (L2) French learning. The importance of individual differences for L2 learning is increasingly recognized in the SLA literature (e.g., Dewaele, 2009, 2011; Moyer, 2014; Douglas Fir Group, 2016), and a relatively large number of studies focus on L2 French. In this chapter, we first make an account of the existing research, starting with the research contexts that are represented and the methods that have been used. Then, we provide an overview of the linguistic variables and the individual differences that have been investigated. We then describe existing study designs and data collection instruments, as well as some ethical considerations related to participant recruitment, data elicitation, data storage, and data sharing. Finally, we discuss the existing research methods from a critical point of view, highlighting their contribution to and limitations within research on individual factors and second language acquisition in general. This leads us to identify areas that remain to be investigated and to suggest ways to advance the study of individual differences and L2 French learning from a methodological point of view.

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.9.12arv

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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