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Part of
Approaches and Methods in French Second Language Acquisition Research
Edited by Martin Howard
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 9] 2025
► pp. 1–18

Chapter 1
Exploring research methods in French as a second language

An introduction

 | University College Cork
This introductory chapter situates the volume in the context of French second language acquisition (SLA) research and languages other than English (LOTE) more generally against the backdrop of English as the global lingua franca of our times. The presentation extends to the contribution of French to SLA investigation through a range of projects before problematizing the critical need for reflection on the research methods characterising research investigation in second-language (L2) French as a LOTE. The chapter outlines the underlying aims of the volume, and offers a synopsis of the contributing chapters.
Keywords: languages other than English, research and study design, longitudinal, cross-sectional, English as a global lingua franca, instructed learning, naturalistic learning, adult learners, child learners
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • French in second language acquisition research
  • Research methods, languages other than English, and second language acquisition research
  • Aims and objectives of this volume
  • Volume outline
  • Author queries
  • References
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References (43)
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