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  7. Foreign Language Learning: Phraseology and Discourse

Foreign Language Learning: Phraseology and Discourse

CECL

Concerted Action Project (2003-2008)

The project had three main objectives:

THEORETICAL: studying

  • both developmental and cross-linguistic influence on the learning of foreign languages
  • in two (so far) largely neglected areas, i.e. phraseology and discourse
  • at more advanced proficiency levels

METHODOLOGICAL:

  • demonstrating the importance of corpus data and methodology to complement experimental data. We will make use of The International Corpus of Learner English (ICLE) which currently contains over 2 million words of argumentative essay writing from university students of English from 14 different mother tongue backgrounds. ICLE is used as a research tool for analysing features of written interlanguage grammar, lexis and discourse.
  • evaluating automatic language analysis tools

APPLIED: reinforcing the link between theory and practice in FLL research by

  • taking classroom practice into account in FLL research
  • integrating research findings in teaching practice (adapting the curriculum, improving teaching methods and offering tailor-made tools for advanced learners)