| Acknowledgements | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-9页 |
| 摘要 | 第10-16页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第16-21页 |
| 1.1 Research background and orientation | 第16-18页 |
| 1.2 Significance of the current research | 第18-19页 |
| 1.3 Structure of the thesis | 第19-21页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第21-38页 |
| 2.1 Measuring learner language proficiency by referring to CEFR levels | 第21-24页 |
| 2.1.1 A general description of the CEFR framework | 第21-23页 |
| 2.1.2 CEFR delineation of language proficiency | 第23-24页 |
| 2.2 Learner language developmental stages | 第24-30页 |
| 2.2.1 Theories in second language acquisition | 第24-26页 |
| 2.2.2 An introduction to Processability Theory | 第26-28页 |
| 2.2.3 Previous research on PT | 第28-30页 |
| 2.3 Measuring second language development through CAF dimensions | 第30-35页 |
| 2.3.1 The limited attention hypothesis | 第30-31页 |
| 2.3.2 Cognition hypothesis | 第31-32页 |
| 2.3.3 Defining CAF variables from a psycholinguistic perspective | 第32-34页 |
| 2.3.4 Previous research on CAF measures | 第34-35页 |
| 2.4 Aims and significance of the current research | 第35-38页 |
| Chapter Three Research Method and Methodology | 第38-52页 |
| 3.1 Research questions | 第38-39页 |
| 3.2 Research methodology | 第39页 |
| 3.3 Research design | 第39-42页 |
| 3.4 Analytical framework | 第42-52页 |
| 3.4.1 Framework for rating learner language proficiency development | 第43-44页 |
| 3.4.2 Defining learner language developmental stages in relation to PT | 第44-49页 |
| 3.4.3 Measuring learner language development by CAF measures | 第49-52页 |
| Chapter Four Research findings and data report | 第52-81页 |
| 4.1 Learner oral language proficiency development | 第52-56页 |
| 4.1.1 Results of learner language performance in different tasks by independentrating | 第52-55页 |
| 4.1.2 General developmental trend in learner language proficiency | 第55-56页 |
| 4.2 Learner second language developmental stages | 第56-65页 |
| 4.2.1 Implicational scalability of learner language developmental sequences | 第57-62页 |
| 4.2.2 Learner language accuracy development within each developmental stage | 第62-65页 |
| 4.3 Learner oral language development in complexity, accuracy and fluency | 第65-81页 |
| 4.3.1 General description of CAF development within the four years | 第65-69页 |
| 4.3.2 The interaction among the CAF variables in the course of development | 第69-73页 |
| 4.3.3 Comparing CAF development between learners of different proficiencylevels | 第73-77页 |
| 4.3.4 Delineating common and individual developmental patterns | 第77-80页 |
| 4.3.5 A summary of findings | 第80-81页 |
| Chapter Five Discussion | 第81-99页 |
| 5.1 Accounts for learner language developmental stages | 第81-86页 |
| 5.1.1 Data triangulation for learner language developmental stages | 第81-82页 |
| 5.1.2 Evidence for the sequencing of developmental stages | 第82-86页 |
| 5.1.3 Accounts for the 'mismatch' between developmental stages in 2012 | 第86页 |
| 5.2 Interaction between CAF variables in language development | 第86-92页 |
| 5.2.1 Explanation for the interaction among the CAF measures | 第87-90页 |
| 5.2.2 Variations of language performance:an insight for 'Cognition Hypothesis' | 第90-92页 |
| 5.2.3 Group developmental features manifested in the patterns of CAFdevelopment | 第92页 |
| 5.3 The possible influence of instruction on language development | 第92-96页 |
| 5.3.1 The role of instruction on learner second language development | 第92-93页 |
| 5.3.2 Accounts for the specific pedagogical interventions implemented | 第93-95页 |
| 5.3.3 A possible 'bootstrapping' period in long-term second languagedevelopment | 第95-96页 |
| 5.4 Significance and implications of the study | 第96-97页 |
| 5.5 Summary | 第97-99页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第99-101页 |
| References | 第101-107页 |
| Appendix Ⅰ. Rating criteria | 第107-108页 |
| Appendix Ⅱ. Inter-rater reliability | 第108-112页 |
| Appendix Ⅲ. Test reliability | 第112页 |
