Work

The developmental dynamics of complexity, accuracy, and fluency in advanced Chinese EFL learners’ oral production

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The study traced the development and interactions of complexity, fluency, and accuracy (CAF) in the oral production of six advanced Chinese EFL learners over a semester, adopting a Complex Dynamic Systems Theory perspective. Employing six progressive-sensitive CAF indices, we examined group-level trajectories as well as individual variation and variability. CAF development at the group level was asynchronous and non-linear, characterized by distinct trends. Specifically, lexical diversity displayed a fall-rise pattern, shifting from a decline to an increase. In contrast, overall syntactic complexity declined. Accuracy progressed with an overall improvement, while fluency demonstrated a decreasing trend. Individually, the interactional patterns diverged further: fluency and syntactic complexity often supported each other while accuracy competed with either syntactic complexity or fluency. The developmental paths and interactions were influenced by cognitive trade-offs, learners’ L2 proficiency, educational context, and fatigue. These findings corroborate CDST tenets that L2 oral development is non-linear and adaptive, implying the need for pedagogical approaches that accommodate individual variability through targeted instruction and feedback.

Source: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-06321-6

Authors: Yu Wang, Kailu Wang, Li Tao

Institution: Soochow University

Language: English

Topic: EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,890