A Critique of Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches Used in Second Language Learning ( SLL): Learners’ Language Development in Study Abroad.

Dewi Satria Elmiana, Queen’s University of Belfast, the United Kingdom, ID CLEaR2017-403;     Abstract: The primary objective of this paper is to critique quantitative and qualitative approach in second language learning (SLL) particularly in learners’ development in study abroad. This paper has presented the philosophical issues and technical issues of quantitative and qualitative method, the interaction of quantitative and qualitative methods in second language learning ( SLL), the ethical consideration in SLL and the analysis of dominant methods used in SLL by examining three peer – reviewed articles. The analysis result showed that both quantitative and qualitative are dominant in second language learning studies, however, it depends on the aspects that researcher intends to discover.  For instance, When the purpose of the study is to understand second language learners’ linguistics development, researcher tend to use  quantitative methods, in contrast, researcher used qualitative methods to examine the socials development of language learning ( Yan, 2010). The second language study that analysed in this paper have only focused on the linguistics and social aspects, however, there are numerous aspects in second language learning study that researcher can go through. So that, further research needs to be undertaken in the future.

Keywords: Quantitative approach, Qualitative approach, Second Language Learning.