Practice and progression in Second Language Research methods

AILA Review ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 80-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Mackey
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Corpus Linguistics ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Deep Dive ◽  
Psychology Education ◽  
Language Research ◽  
General Linguistics

Since its inception, the field of second language research has utilized methods from a number of areas, including general linguistics, psychology, education, sociology, anthropology and, recently, neuroscience and corpus linguistics. As the questions and objectives expand, researchers are increasingly pushing methodological boundaries to gain a clearer picture of second language learning. At one end for example, we see measures of cognition (e.g., brain imaging and eye tracking) and at the other end we see exploration of issues of culture and identity (e.g., ethnographies, deep dive case studies, introspective and narrative analyses). There is an emerging emphasis on research synthesis, meta-analysis, and replication. This article illustrates a few of the advancements in methods and research agendas in SLA. I will conclude by highlighting some of the ways that second language researchers can continue to incorporate, assimilate, and shape methodology, as well as pointing out some of the potential pitfalls, and overall, how these methodological innovations benefit the field.

The provision and uptake of different types of recasts in child and adult ESL learners

2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 26.1-26.22
Author(s):  
Rhonda Oliver ◽  
Ellen Grote
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Conversational Interaction ◽  
Adult Esl ◽  
Language Research ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Facilitative Role ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
The Impact

The role of conversational interaction in second language research has increasingly been seen as playing a facilitative role in second language learning. As such there have been a number of studies focussing on different types of interaction, including feedback such as recasts, and their potential role in second language learning. In this study, using Sheen’s (2006) taxonomy, we compare various types of recasts delivered to child ESL learners. Further, we examine two variables: context (teacher-fronted classrooms versus pair work, including NNS-NNS and NNS-NS dyads) and age (the results of this study with children are compared with the results from Sheen’s (2006) study of adults) and the impact these factors have on this form of feedback. We also examine the opportunity for, and the actual uptake that may follow these recasts, for child ESL learners. The findings suggest that age and context make a difference, both in relation to the provision of recasts (in terms of their type and characteristics), as well as in relation to their uptake, though to a lesser extent. Context also influences the opportunity for uptake afforded to child learners. The theoretical and pedagogical implications of these results are outlined at the conclusion of this paper.

The provision and uptake of different types of recasts in child and adult ESL learners

2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 26.1-26.22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda Oliver ◽  
Ellen Grote
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Conversational Interaction ◽  
Adult Esl ◽  
Language Research ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Facilitative Role ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
The Impact

The role of conversational interaction in second language research has increasingly been seen as playing a facilitative role in second language learning. As such there have been a number of studies focussing on different types of interaction, including feedback such as recasts, and their potential role in second language learning. In this study, using Sheen’s (2006) taxonomy, we compare various types of recasts delivered to child ESL learners. Further, we examine two variables: context (teacher-fronted classrooms versus pair work, including NNS-NNS and NNS-NS dyads) and age (the results of this study with children are compared with the results from Sheen’s (2006) study of adults) and the impact these factors have on this form of feedback. We also examine the opportunity for, and the actual uptake that may follow these recasts, for child ESL learners. The findings suggest that age and context make a difference, both in relation to the provision of recasts (in terms of their type and characteristics), as well as in relation to their uptake, though to a lesser extent. Context also influences the opportunity for uptake afforded to child learners. The theoretical and pedagogical implications of these results are outlined at the conclusion of this paper.

scholarly journals Application of Learner Corpora to Second Language Learning and Teaching: An Overview

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Xu
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Corpus Linguistics ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Learner Corpus ◽  
Learner Corpora

<p>The paper gives an overview of learner corpora and their application to second language learning and teaching. It is proposed that there are four core components in learner corpus research, namely, corpus linguistics expertise, a good background in linguistic theory, knowledge of SLA theory, and a good understanding of foreign language teaching issues (Granger, 2009). Based on the above components, the present paper first introduces learner corpora, then reviews literature concerning the application of corpus linguistics to SLA by means of contrastive interlanguage analysis, and at last discusses the relationship between learner corpora and foreign language teaching.</p>

scholarly journals Grit in Second Language Learning and Teaching: Introduction to the Special Issue

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Peter D. MacIntyre ◽  
Gholam Hassan Khajavy
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pedagogical Issues ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Psychology Education ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Introductory Paper

This brief, introductory paper contextualizes the special issue in relevant literatures in psychology, education, and SLA. In addition to describing the rationale for the special issue and providing a preview of the papers included, we identify the major themes and questions raised by the authors. Balanced against the conceptual, measurement, and pedagogical issues is an argument for the applicability of the concept within SLA. Finally, we provide the implications of the special issue which should be considered in future research in L2 grit studies.

Corpus Research Applications in Second Language Teaching

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 205-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Römer
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Corpus Linguistics ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Language Pedagogy ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Specialized Language

Over the past few decades, corpora have not only revolutionized linguistic research but have also had an impact on second language learning and teaching. In the field of applied linguistics, more and more researchers and practitioners treasure what corpus linguistics has to offer to language pedagogy. Still, corpora and corpus tools have yet to be widely implemented in pedagogical contexts. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of pedagogical corpus applications and to review recent publications in the area of corpus linguistics and language teaching. It covers indirect corpus applications, such as in syllabus or materials design, as well as direct applications of corpora in the second language classroom. The article aims to illustrate how both general and specialized language corpora can be used in these applications and discusses directions for future research in applied corpus linguistics.

scholarly journals Corpus Linguistics

2014 ◽  
pp. 1129-1144
Author(s):  
Angeline M. Madongonda ◽  
Sithembeni Denhere
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Corpus Linguistics ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Computer Aided

This chapter is an attempt to investigate the possibility of integrating computer-assisted ESL (English as a Second Language) learning and teaching in the Zimbabwean high school. With the ever-growing number of schools acquiring computers, even in the rural areas, quite a significant number of high schools in Zimbabwe are now ready to implement language programmes like corpus-based studies. The research attempts to show how concordancing technology could be integrated in ESL learning and teaching by including some practical activities using a computer. Findings after the study have indicated that computer-aided language programmes do help in ESL, and incorporating Corpus Linguistics would bring a major boost to students' (and teachers') ESL levels at a much faster rate than conventional methods. If such programmes were to be integrated in the high school, then the computer would become an indispensable teaching and learning tool.

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