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A scoping review of studies in informal second language learning : Trends in research published between 2000 and 2020

Kusyk, Meryl ; Arndt, Henriette LU orcid ; Schwarz, Marlene ; Yibokou, Kossi Seto ; Dressman, Mark ; Sockett, Geoffrey and Toffoli, Denyze (2025) In System
Abstract
In recent years, research interest in second language use and acquisition beyond the classroom has grown considerably. However, terminological confusion and definitional differences have made it difficult to compare findings and discover trends across studies, and more broadly synthesise new insights and developments. Therefore, this scoping review is intended to provide an overview of when, where, why, and how research on informal language learning (ISLL) research has evolved between 2000 and 2020. We select, describe, and synthesise 206 publications in order to summarise key issues in the theoretical and empirical ISLL literature during this time. We explore the variables, learner populations, and languages that have been studied;... (More)
In recent years, research interest in second language use and acquisition beyond the classroom has grown considerably. However, terminological confusion and definitional differences have made it difficult to compare findings and discover trends across studies, and more broadly synthesise new insights and developments. Therefore, this scoping review is intended to provide an overview of when, where, why, and how research on informal language learning (ISLL) research has evolved between 2000 and 2020. We select, describe, and synthesise 206 publications in order to summarise key issues in the theoretical and empirical ISLL literature during this time. We explore the variables, learner populations, and languages that have been studied; research designs, methodological and analytical approaches; and the theoretical frameworks and terminology which have been employed to describe ISLL and situate it within the broader field of second language acquisition (SLA). We synthesise findings related to students’ engagement in ISLL and its relationship to developing language proficiency as well as to variables such as learner characteristics, motivation and affective factors. We discuss suggested applications of these findings for pedagogy and broader SLA research, and conclude by reflecting on current issues in the existing ISLL literature while also considering areas for potential future development. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Informal second language learning, Language learning beyond the classroom, Extramural English, Informal digital learning of English, Out-of-class language learning, Scoping review, Systematic review
in
System
article number
103541
pages
33 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85217460316
ISSN
0346-251X
DOI
10.1016/j.system.2024.103541
project
A systematic review of research in informal second language learning (2000-2020)
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7adf779e-2ed7-4c6b-a02e-06eadff46bbb
date added to LUP
2025-02-11 17:18:26
date last changed
2025-04-04 13:52:12
@article{7adf779e-2ed7-4c6b-a02e-06eadff46bbb,
  abstract     = {{In recent years, research interest in second language use and acquisition beyond the classroom has grown considerably. However, terminological confusion and definitional differences have made it difficult to compare findings and discover trends across studies, and more broadly synthesise new insights and developments. Therefore, this scoping review is intended to provide an overview of when, where, why, and how research on informal language learning (ISLL) research has evolved between 2000 and 2020. We select, describe, and synthesise 206 publications in order to summarise key issues in the theoretical and empirical ISLL literature during this time. We explore the variables, learner populations, and languages that have been studied; research designs, methodological and analytical approaches; and the theoretical frameworks and terminology which have been employed to describe ISLL and situate it within the broader field of second language acquisition (SLA). We synthesise findings related to students’ engagement in ISLL and its relationship to developing language proficiency as well as to variables such as learner characteristics, motivation and affective factors. We discuss suggested applications of these findings for pedagogy and broader SLA research, and conclude by reflecting on current issues in the existing ISLL literature while also considering areas for potential future development.}},
  author       = {{Kusyk, Meryl and Arndt, Henriette and Schwarz, Marlene and Yibokou, Kossi Seto and Dressman, Mark and Sockett, Geoffrey and Toffoli, Denyze}},
  issn         = {{0346-251X}},
  keywords     = {{Informal second language learning; Language learning beyond the classroom; Extramural English; Informal digital learning of English; Out-of-class language learning; Scoping review; Systematic review}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{02}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{System}},
  title        = {{A scoping review of studies in informal second language learning : Trends in research published between 2000 and 2020}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103541}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.system.2024.103541}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}