I would like to thank Peter MacIntyre for his helpful comments on a previous version of this article.
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Individual Differences: Interplay of Learner Characteristics and Learning Environment
Article first published online: 24 NOV 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00542.x
© 2009 Language Learning Research Club, University of Michigan
Additional Information
How to Cite
Dörnyei, Z. (2009), Individual Differences: Interplay of Learner Characteristics and Learning Environment. Language Learning, 59: 230–248. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00542.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 NOV 2009
- Article first published online: 24 NOV 2009
- Revised version accepted 19 May 2009
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
The notion of language as a complex adaptive system has been conceived within an agent-based framework, which highlights the significance of individual-level variation in the characteristics and contextual circumstances of the learner/speaker. Yet, in spite of this emphasis, currently we know relatively little about the interplay among language, agent, and environment in the language acquisition process, which highlights the need for further research in this area. This article is intended to pursue this agenda by discussing four key issues in this respect: (a) conceptualizing the agent, (b) conceptualizing the environment and its relationship to the agent, (c) operationalizing the dynamic relationship among language, agent, and environment, and (d) researching dynamic systems.