"Theoretically wise and practically powerful, this book is about how to
take full advantage of advances in technology and the learner autonomy
they afford, rather than simply adapt to or deny them. It issues a
clarion call to language educators and administrators interested in
building on recent advances in language learning via the informal
avenues of digital communications." --Mark Dressman, Professor
Emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, US, Professor and
Chair of English at Khalifa University, UAE
"This important and original book challenges us to rethink the design
and delivery of the language learning opportunities universities provide
for their students. Drawing on Complex Dynamic Systems Theory,
Self-Determination Theory and her own empirical explorations of informal
online language learning, Denyze Toffoli paints a portrait of today's
university language learner that is novel, unexpected and urgent."
--David Little, Fellow and Associate Professor Emeritus at Trinity
College, Ireland
This book takes a fresh look at both context and the language learner in
an attempt to shed light on the holistic and ever-changing system of the
contemporary L2 speaker's language development. Drawing on complex
dynamic systems theory as a means to more fully understand the holistic
nature of contemporary language learning, the author attempts to bridge
the longstanding gap between formal language provision in Higher
Education institutions, and more informal language acquisition achieved
through activities such as listening to music, watching films and
television, and playing games. Based on a theoretical understanding of
the interplay between these contexts, contents and practices, the author
offers suggestions concerning the shape of language centres in higher
education and the role of teachers in readying the contemporary language
learner for autonomous lifelong and lifewide language development. This
book will be of particular interest to language teachers, teacher
trainers, and higher education administrators.
