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Approaches and Methods in French Second Language Acquisition Research
Edited by Martin Howard
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 9] 2025
► pp. 208–233

Chapter 9
Approaches and methods in research on sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in second language French

 | University College Cork
 | Université Côte d’Azur
This chapter offers a review and critique of methods and approaches characterising the investigation of the acquisition of the interrelated areas of sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in second-language French. Following on an introduction to key distinguishing constructs and concepts, the chapter respectively characterises the research investigation across the two fields in relation to learner-participants, study design, data instruments and analysis, and the dominant linguistic features investigated. It goes on to consider the methodological contribution of the body of research available in second-language French to subsequently identify a roadmap of methodological directions that future research may fruitfully follow.
Keywords: sociolinguistic competence, sociolinguistic variable, pragmalinguistic competence, sociopragmatic competence, speech acts, variationist approach, speech style, socio-stylistic competence
Article outline
  • Introduction: Constructs and concepts
  • Constructs and concepts
  • Approaches and methods in the investigation of sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in L2 French: An overview
    • Sociolinguistic competence
    • Learner backgrounds
    • Study design
    • Data instruments
    • Data coding and analysis
    • Sociolinguistic features
    • Pragmatic competence
    • Learner backgrounds
    • Study design
    • Data collection instruments
    • Data analysis
    • Pragmatic features
  • Approaches and methods to sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in L2 French: Contributions and a general critique
    • L2-French methodological contributions
    • A general critique
  • Directions for the future
  • Conclusion
  • Author queries
  • References
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
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