The significance of chaos/complexity theory in Maltese as a second language acquisition

Abstract

Despite extensive research in second language acquisition (SLA), we are still a long way from understanding what exactly happens in the adult’s mind while learning a second language (L2). This study explores whether a learning pattern could be established over time in 35 adults learning Maltese as a second language (ML2), especially with respect to Maltese verbs. This research is driven by chaos/complexity theory. It focuses on the non-linear learning curve, the origins of the butterfly effect and fractal patterns of learning. It describes how learning is unpredictable, chaotic, dynamic and complex. A longitudinal research system and a mixed-method approach focussed on methodological triangulation were used in this research. Structured Timed Grammaticality Judgment Tests, verb conjugation tasks, reflected journals and interviews were used to investigate the learning curve over a period of 15 months. According to the results, all participants indicated a non-linear learning pattern and confirm the characteristics of Chaos/Complexity Theory.