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Theory Construction in Second Language Acquisition
Language Learning and Language Teaching The LL< monograph series publishes monographs as well as edited volumes on applied and methodological issues in the field of language pedagogy. The focus of the series is on subjects such as classroom discourse and interaction; language diversity in educational settings; bilingual education; language testing and language assessment; teaching methods and teaching performance; learning trajectories in second language acquisition; and written language learning in educational settings.
Series editors Birgit Harley Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
Jan H. Hulstijn Department of Second Language Acquisition, University of Amsterdam
Volume 8 Theory Construction in Second Language Acquisition by Geoff Jordan
Theory Construction in Second Language Acquisition
Geoff Jordan
John Benjamins Publishing Company Amsterdam/Philadelphia
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The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences – Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ansi z39.48-1984.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Jordan, Geoff Theory construction in second language acquisition / Geoff Jordan. p. cm. (Language Learning and Language Teaching, issn 1569–9471 ; v. 8) Includes bibliographical references and indexes. 1.Second language acquisition--Philosophy P118.2 J67 2004 418-dc21 isbn 90 272 1705 X (Eur.) / 1 58811 481 3 (US) (Hb; alk. paper) isbn 90 272 1706 8 (Eur.) / 1 58811 482 1 (US) (Pb; alk. paper)
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© 2004 – John Benjamins B.V. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. John Benjamins Publishing Co. · P.O. Box 36224 · 1020 me Amsterdam · The Netherlands John Benjamins North America · P.O. Box 27519 · Philadelphia pa 19118-0519 · usa
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Table of contents
Acknowledgements Abstract The Guidelines (Abridged) Part 1 Some fundamental issues concerning the construction and assessment of theories of SLA Chapter 1 Key terms and current problems in SLA 1.1 SLA Theory: Key terms5 1.1.1 Phenomena5 1.1.2 Language5 1.1.2.1 Chomsky’s Linguistic Competence6 1.1.2.2 Halliday: “Language as social semiotic”6 1.1.2.3 Bachman’s Communicative Language Ability Framework7 1.1.3 Acquisition10 1.1.4 Explanation11 1.2 Problems confronting current theories of SLA12 1.2.1 Proliferation12 1.2.2 Objectives14 1.2.3 The domain of SLA15 1.2.4 Contradictions16 1.3 Conclusion17
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Chapter 2 Research methodology: Rationalism and its critics 2.1 Introduction19 2.2 Rationalists and Empiricists19 2.3 Positivists27 2.4 Popper29 2.5 Problems with the Falsifiability Criterion33 2.6 Kuhn37 2.7 Feyerabend40 2.8 Lakatos41 2.9 Laudan43 2.10 Conclusion46 Chapter 3 Recent relativists 3.1 Introduction51 3.2 The sociology of science51 3.3 Postmodernism54 3.3.1 Derrida57 3.3.2 Foucault61 3.3.3 Conclusion63 3.4 Constructivism64 Chapter 4 In defence of rationalism 4.1 Introduction69 4.2 Against relativism69 4.2.1 There is no one “scientific method”69 4.2.2 Underdetermination71 4.2.3 Kuhn and Feyerabend72 4.2.4 Postmodernists and constructivists77 4.3 The rationalist case81 4.3.1 Critical rationalism82 4.3.2 Observing a real world83 4.3.3 The practice of science84
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Chapter 5 The construction and assessment of theories of SLA 5.1 Science and SLA87 5.2 Phenomena and data90 5.3 Explanation91 5.4 Theory assessment95 5.5 Four views on constructing and assessing theories of SLA97 5.5.1 T