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UBC Theses and Dissertations

Characterizing oral proficiency and language use of long-time learners of Chinese as an additional language using computer technology Yates, Elliott

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation into characterizing the oral language proficiency of longtime Anglo-Canadian learners of Chinese as an Additional Language (CAL) using computer technology. Semi-structured, informal, low-stakes interviews with five CAL learners were transcribed, segmented using freely available Chinese text parsing software, and analyzed using the methodologies from the field of complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF) studies in second language acquisition. This thesis describes operationalization of these CAF indices in the CAL context, compares the results to participant self-assessments using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and makes recommendations for adoption of CAF measurement standards and future work in characterizing language proficiency in the realms of applied linguistics research and language pedagogy in the CAL context.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International