L2 Development from a CDST Perspective and the Issue of Generalizability

From a complex dynamic systems (CDST) perspective, language is understood as system comprised of subsystems that change and develop over time in response to learner-internal -external factors (Verspoor et al., 2008). Accordingly, development seen process responsive the interaction between learner her context time. While CDST prefers product approach analyzing its development, extant research on learning has traditionally taken more static rigid perspective acquisition, generally operating under assumption can be (more or less) by drawing straight line individual variables conditions changes interlanguage. Findings from traditional are often presented “before after” terms, framing outcomes treatments, rather than characterizing developments an ongoing variable process.