The contribution of a hermeneutic approach to investigate psychological variables in second language acquisition

Abstract

Qualitative research and more specifically a hermeneutic approach to interpreting communications in L2 classes has much to contribute to the accumulation of psychological knowledge about L2 learners. The modern social hermeneutic approach helps to address questions that are quite relevant for explaining contemporary developments in L2 educational strategies and policy-making. It can be used alone or in combination with quantitative methods of data analysis to analyze how certain psychological variables (cognitive factors, affective factors, and personality traits) emerge from the social interactions that occur within the ecologically situated nature of classroom language learning. The purpose of this conceptual review is to provide an introductory overview of the hermeneutic approach and discuss how it can be effectively used in L2 studies to explore the emergence, development, and causal mechanisms underlying the psychological variables in the interactive context of L2 classes. Also, suggestions will be explained with respect to the contributions of the method to L2 psychology, educational psychology, and second language acquisition domains.