In-Depth dialogue between theoretical biggies held in Xi’an

An academic dialogue between Professor Diane Larsen-Freeman, the proponent of the complex dynamic system theory, and Professor James P. Lantolf, the leader of the social and cultural theory, was held on Tuesday in Xi'an, Shaanxi province in Northwest China.

The in-depth dialogue entitled Open Discussion CDST & SCT is held on Tuesday in Xi’an Jiaotong University.

Professor Larsen-Freeman is a researcher and professor of pedagogy and linguistics in the English Language Institute at the University of Michigan. She is also a contact senior faculty member of the Vermont Institute of International Trainees.

Lantolf is a professor at Pennsylvania State University and director of the Pennsylvania National Center for Advanced Language Ability Education and Research.

In the event on Tuesday, Professor Larsen-Freeman first gave a report on the theory of complex dynamic systems. She emphasized the complexity, systematic nature and dynamic adaptability of language. She also pointed out that it is necessary to promote learners' subjective initiative in second language teaching so as to help learners adapt to the language system and achieve their learning goals.

Professor Lantolf gave a report on the theme of Socio-Cultural Theory. Firstly, he emphasized that the study of second language acquisition by sociocultural theory is from the perspective of psychology, so as to analyze the social attributes of individual development.

In the second part, Professor Larsen-Freeman and Professor Lantolf exchanged their views on the similarities and differences of CDST and SCT theories and responded one by one.

It involved language output, different views on concept teaching and second language learning. The exchanges between the two theoretical perspectives continued to spark new ideas.

The two professors have in-depth exchanges with the participants.

The theory-based event attracted more than 120 university teachers from home and abroad, including Olga Esteve Ruescas of Fabra University in Spain, Eduard Negueruela Azarola Eduardo Nigrila of Navarra University in Spain, Xu Jinfen of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Zhao Yongqing and Qin Lili of Dalian University of Technology, and Wu Heping of Northwest Normal University.

The dialogue was chaired by Wang Min, vice-dean of School of Foreign Studies of Xi'an Jiaotong University.

Chen Xiangjing, dean of School of Foreign Studies of Xi'an Jiaotong University, gave a welcoming speech, praising the high-end dialogue, which was rare in China. She believed that its theme fit well with the direction of joint doctoral training in this discipline.

The dialogue provided an academic platform for free exchange, promoted the direct exchange of complex dynamic system theory and social and cultural theory, and brought the most advanced and abundant information to those teachers, students and guests present. It will greatly inspire scholars in the two fields at home and abroad.