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Network Statistical Models for Language Learning Contexts: Exponential Random Graph Models and Willingness to Communicate
Author(s) -
Gallagher H. Colin,
Robins Garry
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
language learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.882
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1467-9922
pISSN - 0023-8333
DOI - 10.1111/lang.12130
Subject(s) - exponential random graph models , psychology , willingness to communicate , situational ethics , social network (sociolinguistics) , interpersonal ties , multilingualism , linguistics , social psychology , random graph , cognitive psychology , graph , computer science , theoretical computer science , world wide web , pedagogy , philosophy , social media
As part of the shift within second language acquisition (SLA) research toward complex systems thinking, researchers have called for investigations of social network structure. One strand of social network analysis yet to receive attention in SLA is network statistical models, whereby networks are explained in terms of smaller substructures of social ties. This article offers an overview and instructive demonstration of exponential random graph models as applied to a cohort of English for Academic Purposes students ( N = 75) and their willingness to communicate in the second language (L2 WTC). Results indicate that cross‐cultural ties build off of intracultural ties through triadic closure (meeting through a mutual contact). Furthermore, situational subtypes of L2 WTC are associated with various network tie patterns.