Dynamic Vocabulary Development in a Foreign Language

The Dynamic Systems Theory perspective offers new lenses to probe into long-term foreign language development. This book reports on findings of a longitudinal multiple-case study on the vocabulary development of eight university-level Chinese learners of English. Framed within the Dynamic Systems framework, the study assumes a holistic perspective towards vocabulary knowledge and aims to project a comprehensive picture of vocabulary development in a typical foreign language learning setting such as the Chinese context. To this end, a wide array of quantitative measurements and qualitative methods was employed. In-depth examination was given to both psycholinguistic and sociocultural processes involved in the complex and dynamic development of vocabulary knowledge. Efforts were also made to establish meaningful links between the learners’ cognitive, mental, pedagogical and social contexts. Although the focus is on vocabulary development, what is discussed in the book is applicable to a wide range of topics in foreign language learning and development.

Yongyan Zheng is Lecturer in the School of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Fudan University, China. She obtained her PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hong Kong with the auspices of Swire PRC-HKU Doctoral Scholarship. Her research interests include Dynamic Systems Theory of second language development, second language vocabulary acquisition and learner dictionary use.