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Beyond learner autonomy: a dynamic systems view of the informal learning of English in virtual online communities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 April 2012

Geoffrey Sockett  and
Denyze Toffoli
Geoffrey Sockett
Affiliation:
DLADL, Université de Strasbourg, 22 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France (emails: gsockett@unistra.fr, dtoffoli@unistra.fr)
Denyze Toffoli
Affiliation:
DLADL, Université de Strasbourg, 22 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France (emails: gsockett@unistra.fr, dtoffoli@unistra.fr)
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Abstract

This article discusses the informal learning of English by non-native speakers with particular reference to the role of virtual communities. The concept of informal learning is presented and related to current areas of interest in the literature such as incidental learning, and dynamic systems theory. Our research investigates how non-specialist language learners use the Internet in their spare time to read and listen to English, and also communicate in English, notably in online communities through social networking websites. The study looks particularly at the dynamics of these phenomena by studying a small number of non-native users of English over a period of two months. The results of this research will be used to question the relevance of the learner autonomy paradigm, which has been a cornerstone of language learning policy in Europe for the past thirty years.

Keywords

informal learning of Englishdynamic systems theorylearner autonomyonline resourceslongitudinal approachesincidental language acquisition

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
ReCALL , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , 27 April 2012 , pp. 138 - 151
Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2012

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