Individual Differences in Language Learning and Teaching: a Complex/Dynamic/Socio-Ecological/Holistic View

This article begins by outlining the development of the individual difference concept, considering what should be included as an individual difference, and suggesting a definition. The authors then suggest 11 individual differences which occur regularly in the literature and which they have found to be salient features in their own classrooms. A brief overview of these 11 factors is provided, along with theoretical perspectives relevant to the individual differences issue. The article concludes with a small-scale investigation of teachers' perspectives of the importance of individual differences in language learning. According to the results, teachers consider motivation and strategy use the most important variables, but that all 11 factors are at least somewhat important. This conclusion emphasizes the need for a holistic view of these complex/dynamic, socio-ecologically influenced phenomena. ???????????????, ?????????????????, ????????????11?????, ???????????????, ????????????????????????????????11?????????????????????????, ????????????????????????????????????????: ????????????????????, ??11??????????????????????????/????????????????????????