In:Approaches and Methods in French Second Language Acquisition Research:
Edited by Martin Howard
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 9] 2025
► pp. 174–205
Chapter 8L2-French acquisition of discursive competence
A focus on methods
Published online: 3 March 2025
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.9.08lec
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.9.08lec
Abstract
This chapter critically reviews the way discursive competence has been studied in French SLA, to
identify the methodological strengths and limitations of current research. A particular focus is taken on the methods
used to track the development of the means to produce cohesive speech in L2 French, at different ages of onset and
proficiency levels, and across various conceptual domains; and on the approaches taken to the development of
information structure at discourse level in a variety of tasks. We used a sample of 37 studies on L2 French, spanning
30 years of research on L2 development of discursive competence, to shed light on the methodological contribution of
L2 French in this area to wider SLA, before identifying promising avenues for future research.
Article outline
- Introduction
- Discursive competence: A presentation
- Method
- Learner backgrounds
- Type of learners
- Learner proficiency
- Study design
- Major projects mapping the development of discursive competence in L2 French
- Data instruments
- Native-speaker role
- Data sharing and research ethics
- Data analysis
- Discursive features
- Studies on the acquisition of space and time reference
- Studies on the development of nominal reference and discursive cohesion
- Studies on the acquisition of discursive cohesion: Clause linking and information packaging
- Multimodal approaches
- Approaches and methods to discursive competence in L2 French: Discussion and future directions
- Critique
- Directions for the future
- Conclusion
Notes References
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