With the introduction, in the 1990's, of the dynamic systems theory approach in human sciences research (Sauvage, 2015), new perspectives have been brought on second language learning. Evolution through time has become central and variability has become relevant. Elements constituting language are no longer seen as distinct parameters but as components of a system constantly interacting with each other and the environment (Cameron & Larsen-Freeman, 2008).
This presentation aims, through the example of our own study, to discuss the methodological implications of applying a dynamic systems theory approach to informal second language learning. The purpose of our study is to explore the internal motivational dynamics of French university students, who are engaged in informal learning activities in English such as watching series or television programs, reading newspapers, or listening to music. That is to say, we are studying the evolution of the motivational sub-system of non-native English users.
In order to do so, we collected data through semi-structured interviews using a retrodictive method. In other words, we tried to go back in time with the interviewees from the very beginning of their learning of English to the present day to reconstruct the dynamics of their motivation through time and the different states their motivational system went through. This type of methodology is also called retrodictive qualitative modeling (Dörnyei, 2014 ; Gillies, 2014) and aims at unraveling the signature dynamics of a system (the salient mechanisms within the system) (Hiver, 2017) by following three steps: (1) identifying types within the target population, (2) identifying individuals matching these types, (3) and identifying the salient components and the signature dynamics of the system through retrodictive interviews.
Throughout our presentation, we want to highlight the challenges of applying a dynamic systems theory approach to second language learning studies, in particular by emphasizing the parameters to be taken into account when designing a study using retrodiction and seeking to describe the functioning of a dynamic system.
Dörnyei, Z. (2014). Researching complex dynamic systems: 'Retrodictive qualitative modeling' in the language classroom. Language Teaching, 47(1), 80-91.
Gillies, H. (2014). Researching Complex Dynamic Systems: Retrodictive Qualitative Modeling to Understand Motivation in the Japanese EFL Classroom. 都留文科大学研究紀要 (The Tsuru University Review), 80.
Hiver, P. (2017). Tracing the Signature Dynamics of Language Teacher Immunity: A Retrodictive Qualitative Modeling Study. The Modern Language Journal, 101, 669-690. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12433
Larsen-Freeman, D., Cameron, L. (2008). Complex systems and applied linguistics. Oxford University Press.
Sauvage, J. (2015). L'acquisition du langage : Un système complexe. Academia L'Harmattan.
