Chaos theory, catastrophe theory thorn 1972,2 plectics gell mann in. Larsen freemantechniquesandprinciplesinlanguageteaching. She is now a professor emerita in education and in linguistics at the university of michigan in ann arbor, michigan. Chaos i complexity science and second language acquisition diane larsen freeman. Ever since the inception of this paradigmatic shift initiated by diane larsen freeman in 1997, sld research has gradually transformed to acknowledge, value, and focus on. Yet, although each of the factors of input frequency, semantic complexity, grammatical complexity, phonological form, and perceptual salience had been historically considered for their suf. Diane larsenfreeman talks about how complexity theory has influenced her thinking in tesol. Most researchers agree that using different definitions and ways of measuring. International journal of instruction, october 2017 vol.
Complexity theories and language teaching practice a compatible pairing. Larsen freeman sees many striking similarities between the new science of chaos complexity and second language acquisition 1997. It is also a tribute to diane larsen freeman for her decades of intellectual leadership in the academic disciplines of applied linguistics and second language acquisition. Complex systems like the weather, economic systems, human learning are open and dynamic. Following this discussion, i will present a middle ground position, one inspired by complexity theory, which sees language as a complex adaptive system cas ellis and larsen freeman. Karim sadeghi background diane larsen freeman received her phd in linguistics from the university of michigan. Chaoscomplexity theory for second language acquisition. H ow ever, fr om the beginning of my acquaintance with ct, i quickly. Abraham 1994, and complexity theory are all concerned with the behavior of dynamic systems systems that change with time asgleick1987 5 puts it the study ofchaos is a science of.
Ahmar mahboob has applied complexity theory dynamic systems theory to a dynamic approach to language assessment. In chapter 1, larsen freeman offers definitions of ct and its main tenets. Techniques and principles in language teaching 3rd edition. When the participants came across unpredictable incidents, they attempted to calm the site and time of occurrences. Since 2003, she is also a professor of linguistics. Each of these metaphors can be used to represent a particular view of language and of learning. Such a move admittedly takes us out of our academic comfort zone, as it necessitates giving up the handy and neat notion of modular id factors and pushes us to reframe learner characteristics in a more fluid and dynamic manner. Diane larsen freeman, chaos complexity science and second language acquisition, applied linguistics, volume 18, issue 2.
What does a complex systems view have to say about language. The systems usually involve a large number of elements or agents, which interact and give rise to a different order of complexity at a higher level. It originates in the physical sciences, and i am a mere dilettante in them. Diane larsen freeman is a professor of education, a professor of linguistics, and a research scientist at the english language institute at the university of michigan, ann arbor, and a distinguished senior faculty fellow at the graduate sit institute in brattleboro, vermont. Complexity theory and language development john benjamins. Larsenfreeman 2011 a complexity approach to second language development acquisition in dwight atkinson ed alternative approaches to second language acquisition routledge paperback,kindle edition pp. Larsenfreeman 2011 a complexity approach to second. This is not surprising, considering the state of the modern world its dynamism, interconnectivity, mobile populations, changing climate, pattern of unintentional consequences, spacetime compression, and technological innovation. Lexicogrammar ranges from fixed phrases to semilexicalised patterns, and complexity theory can help to account for their use. Collectively, in a balanced and indepth manner, this volume provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of language and. It can help teachers articulate, and perhaps transform, their understanding of the teachinglearning process. On the complementarity of chaoscomplexity theory and. She received her phd in linguistics from the university of michigan. The emergence of complexity, fluency, and accuracy in the.
An interview with professor diane larsen freeman interview by. She studies in second language acquisition, english as a second or foreign language, language teaching methods, teacher education, and english grammar. Why is everyone so excited about complexity theory in. Their study can encourage continuing education in the lifelong process of learning to teach larsen freeman 1998. Chaos complexity theory cct and closely related dynamic systems theory were first proposed in the physical sciences and mathematics to explain the behavior of complex dynamic systems. It has been recognized as an indicator, diagnostic, and a major parameter for l2 learning, teaching, and research.
Chaos i complexity science and second language acquisition. Request pdf on oct 16, 2017, diane larsen freeman and others published chapter 1. Pdf on jun 1, 20, diane larsen freeman and others published complexity theory. Larsenfreeman 1997 believes that the two portions of chaoscomplexity and science do not go together as the concept bear a contradictory paradoxical. Nearly two decades of development of complexity theory ct call for a celebration of how it has been. Larsen freedman 2010 thus proposes looking at caf research from a dynamic or complex systems or chaos complexity theory. It was pure good fortune that i encountered complexity theory ct. Chaoscomplexity science and second language acquisition. In other words, it does not refute these assumptions one by one, but rather, from the beginning, adopts a different metaphor or supra theory larsen freeman and cameron. Collectively, in a balanced and indepth manner, this volume provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary. In this article, a brief look at chaos complexity theory and its application on second language acquisition as a dynamic and complex process is evaluated. In what follows i draw heavily from larsen freeman 1997 and 2011.
One of the major tenets of complexity theory is that it is a science of process rather than state, of becoming. While doing that, larsen freeman s 1997 work is used as the main text for discussion. These qualities make the nonreductionist, ecological, dynamic systems view that ct affords. Request pdf on oct 16, 2017, diane larsenfreeman and others published chapter 1.
It was pure good fortune that i encountered complexity theory ct some years ago. As my theoretical background in complexity theory is niklas luhmanns systems theory, ill occasionally use his framework to examine this article by larsen freeman. This volume is both a stateoftheart display of current thinking on second language development as a complex system. A new way to think diane larsen freeman university of michigan it was pur e good for tune that i encounter ed complexity theor y ct some years ago. Iranian novice english teachers agency construction. In this course, students will explore complex adaptive systems cas and complexity theory as they relate to various aspects of language. Finally, according to larsen freeman and cameron, complexity and chaos are perspectives on a world where metaphor is an initial bridge into an additional way of framing research and practice. She is currently a professor emerita in education and in linguistics at the university of michigan in. Diane larsenfreeman simple english wikipedia, the free. Methods can serve as models of the integration of theory the principles and practice the tech niques. Prior to her arrival in ann arbor, diane was a professor. In celebration of diane larsen freeman ebook written by lourdes ortega, zhaohong han. Diane larsenfreeman was the director of the eli from 20022008.
Chaoscomplexity theory in language learning academy. Complexity theories not a single unified theory but shared characteristics complexity perspectives chaos theory dynamic systems theory network theory emergent systems nonlinear dynamics ecological theories. Position paper the five graces group clay beckner nick c. She argues that ct is a meta theory, a conceptual framework that provides broad theoretical and methodological principles for how to judge what is meaningful or not, acceptable or not, and central or not in building knowledge about a phenomenon p. Why is everyone so excited about complexity theory in applied linguistics. While doing that, larsenfreemans 1997 work is used as the main text for discussion. Moreover, pallotti 2009 recommends that adequacy should be added to caf. Following appointments at ucla and the graduate sit institute, she returned to the university of michigan in january 2002 to direct the. Diane larsen freeman born 1946 is an american linguist. Complex systems and applied linguistics diane larsen.
Ellis university of new mexico university of michigan richard blythe john holland university of edinburgh santa fe institute joan bybee jinyun ke university of new mexico university of michigan morten h. She has been a professor of education at um since january 2002. Diane larsen freeman 380 contrast this appraisal of emergent complexity in the classroom with bolsters 1983 depiction of traditional classroom research. Pdf on jun 1, 20, diane larsenfreeman and others published complexity theory. This book presents a collective effort of scholars in applied linguistics to expand the horizon of the application of complexity theory ct in the research of second language development sld.