“Complexity Theory and Applied Linguistics: insights from language (teacher) development and the classroom”
Since 1997, when Larsen-Freeman published the first article bringing together Complexity Theory and Applied Linguistics, there has been growing interest in how this paradigm – grounded in Mathematics and Physics – can deal with recurrent questions in the language field. Research has been developed on several topics, especially language development, identity, teacher development and the language classroom. In this talk, I intend to present some theoretical principles and elements from Complexity and try to relate them to issues analyzed in other researchers’ and my own work. I will also approach some implications of a complex perspective for the language teacher and the classroom. Finally, I will share some thoughts on how I see the notion of communicative competence under Complexity Theory.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 11:00 – 12:30, B-4 Dwinelle