A Study on English Listening Attrition among English-Japanese Majors Based on Dynamical Systems Theory

ZiQin Li

doi:10.63313/EH.9038

Authors

ZiQin Li University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/EH.9038

Keywords:

Dynamical Systems Theory, English-Japanese Majors, Listening, Language Attrition

Abstract

To respond the needs of the times, some universities have established English-Japanese bilingual programs to cultivate multilingual talents. Mastering two foreign languages simultaneously is a significant challenge for students. English listening plays an important role in their English learning process. Therefore, based on Dynamic Systems Theory (DST), this study uses questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to analyze the specific impacts and causes of listening attrition from the perspectives of environment, learners, and teaching—three subsystems. The study finds a significant correlation between the frequency of Japanese usage and English listening attrition, suggesting that frequent use of Japanese may negatively impact students' English listening skills. This research provides a new perspective on the phenomenon of listening attrition among English-Japanese bilingual students and offers valuable guidance for related educational practices.

References

[1] Larsen-Freeman, D. (2012). Complexity theory. In S. M. Gass & A. Mackey (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of second language acquisition (pp. 73–88). Routledge.

[2] Ellis, R. (2008). The study of second language acquisition (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press

[3] De Bot, K., Lowie, W., & Verspoor, M. (2007). A dynamic systems theory approach to second language acquisition. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 10(1), 7–21.

[4] Shen, C., & Lü, M. (2008). Dynamic systems theory and second language acquisition. Foreign Language Research, 3, 65–68.

[5] Lambert, R. D., & Freed, B. F. (1982). The loss of language skills. Newbury House.

[6] Wang, X. (2011). On the mechanisms and models of language attrition. Journal of Shandong University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 2, 133–138.

[7] Ni, C. (2006). An analysis of factors influencing foreign language attrition. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 1, 50–55.

[8] Wen, Q., & Wang, L. (2004). A review of factors influencing the operation of foreign language learning strategy systems. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 9, 28–32.

[9] Dai, Y., & Wang, T. (2012). A dynamic systems theory-based model of second language acquisition: Interaction among environment, learners, and language. Shandong Foreign Language Teaching, 5, 36–42.

[10] Zhong, S., & Sun, C. (2012). Interdisciplinary research on language attrition: Starting from the definition of language attrition. Foreign Language Teaching, 2, 8–12.

[11] Xu, L., & Liu, J. (2016). Dynamic systems theory: A review of second language acquisition research from a dynamic perspective. Journal of Higher Education, 1, 201–204.

[12] Ni, C. (2019). The regressivity of language attrition: A feature analysis and mechanism explanation based on forgetting theory. Foreign Language Research, 2, 46–51, 58, 112.