Symposium: Dynamic systems/Complexity theory as a new approach to second language development

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolijn Verspoor
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Second Language Development ◽  
16Th World ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Over Time

Presented at the 16th World Congress of Applied Linguistics (AILA), Beijing Foreign Studies University, China, 24 August 2011.The goal of the symposium was to show that a Dynamic systems/Complexity theory (DST) perspective will provide important insights into the L2 developmental process. Kees de Bot (University of Groningen) introduced the symposium by outlining the basic characteristics of a dynamic system: all factors or variables involved in language development are interconnected, interact with each other over time, and affect each other differently over time on different time scales. Initial conditions such as the learner's L1, motivation or level of proficiency are crucial and systems self-organize over time. Development is not linear and learners are not all the same, so variability and variation are the norm.

scholarly journals Une nouvelle approche pour immuniser nos forêts contre l'incertitude (essai)

2018 ◽  
Vol 169 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Messier ◽  
Fanny Maure ◽  
Núria Aquilué
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Global Change ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Spatial Network ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The World ◽  
Present Context ◽  
Monitoring And Forecasting

A new approach to immunizing our forests against uncertainty (essay) In the present context of global change, managing our forests is a major challenge, in particular because of the great uncertainty associated with this change. Faced with this new reality, our methods of monitoring and forecasting the developments in our forests are no longer effective enough, so we have to review how we manage our forests. Complexity theory provides a conceptual framework for our approach, which leads us to adopt a more holistic and flexible way of seeing the world when planning our forest management. We must therefore accept that forests are complex and dynamic systems, and for that reason, never completely predictable. By incorporating the functional properties of trees and the complex spatial network of their populations in our forest management, and encouraging greater functional diversity and connectivity, we can immunize the forests against present and future stresses.

Time scales in second language development

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kees de Bot
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Lexical Retrieval ◽  
Pragmatic Development ◽  
Second Language Development ◽  
Different Time Scales

Development, and thus language development takes place at many interacting timescales, ranging from the milliseconds of lexical retrieval to pragmatic development at the scale of the life span. Different factors play a role in development at different time scales and even the same factor may play out differently at different time scales. Motivation in language learning may impact on long term intentions like a successful career, but also on short term motives like passing an examination. Such motivational drives interact, leading to a complex non-linear trajectory over time. There is hardly any research that looks at the same developmental process at different time scales and much of the research on second language development needs to be reconsidered on the basis of these insights.

Transdisciplinary research methods and complexity theory in applied linguistics: introduction to the special issue

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Hiver ◽  
Ali H. Al-Hoorie
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Oxford University

Abstract Complexity theory/dynamic systems theory (CDST) has captured the imagination of many in the field of applied linguistics (Larsen-Freeman, Diane & Lynne Cameron. 2008. Complex systems and applied linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Ortega, Lourdes & Zhao Hong Han (eds.). 2017. Complexity theory and language development: In celebration of Diane Larsen-Freeman. Amsterdam: John Benjamins). As recent syntheses of the growing number of CDST-informed strands of applied linguistics research illustrates, it has emerged as an important influence on applied linguists’ thinking (see Larsen-Freeman, Diane. 2017. Complexity theory: The lessons continue. In Lourdes Ortega & Zhao Hong Han (eds.), Complexity theory and language development: In celebration of Diane Larsen-Freeman, 11–50. Amsterdam: John Benjamins). The fact that CDST has continued to permeate questions throughout the field is to be expected and welcomed.

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