Tracking Advanced Chinese Language Learners’ Oral Proficiency Development and Social Network Construction While Studying Abroad

ABSTRACT This study examines the dynamic relationship between the construction of Chinese social networks and the development of fluency, complexity, and accuracy in oral Chinese, drawing on research with 19 advanced learners over two semesters of study in China. Using an explanatory sequential mixed‐methods design, we collected multiple data sources at two time points, including learners’ oral production tasks, social network questionnaires, and semi‐structured interviews. The findings reveal significant improvements in the learners’ oral proficiency, with distinct trajectories in the dimensions of fluency, accuracy, and complexity. Notably, changes in the size and intensity of learners’ Chinese social networks were found to be significantly correlated with progress in specific areas of oral proficiency. This study offers insight into how social network characteristics influence second language oral proficiency in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency, and concludes with pedagogical recommendations for enhancing learners’ oral skills and for approaches to supporting language instructors and study‐abroad programme designers alike.