Learning Japanese as a Second Language: A Processability Perspect ...

of the method of data analysis: how to measure the learners’ performance and how to test a hypothesised hierarchical relationship between the stages.

Chapter 5 presents the results of the empirical studies in conjunction with the research questions. The chapter begins with a description of the developmental paths for both verbal morphology and syntax as observed in the four longitudinal studies. The observed developmental path is then cross-checked to see whether it actually matches the hypothesised stages based on PT. The chapter also describes and discusses the results gained from the cross-sectional study and compares these with the longitudinal results. After examining the developmental issue, the text moves to that of cross-linguistic influence in the early stages of learning Japanese syntax. The data is examined in terms of the predictions that were based on the two competing models of L1 transfer (mentioned previously).

The book concludes with a summary of the major findings of this research and their fit within PT. This chapter includes an interpretation of the results for wider contexts, such as syllabus design and theoryconstruction as well as a discussion of the limitations of the study and suggestions for further study.