Individual differences in the light of new linguistic dispensation

This article offers some theoretical considerations on the issue of individual differences within the context of contemporary global and sociolinguistic conditions. The essential changes in the field of second language learning and use are treated in connection with global shifts. In the first section the paper provides a description of the new linguistic dispensation as well as its emergent properties and developments. This section is followed by the analysis of the most salient current issues in individual differences such as the reassessment of factors explaining individual variation in view of recent developments, the increase and diversification of language learner populations, the limitless diversification and expansion of the factors deemed responsible for variety in the process and outcomes of language learning, the appearance of new categories of determinants for language learning and consequent re-assessment and restructuring of teaching methodology.