Aptitude-treatment interaction studies in second language acquisition
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Karen Vatz
Abstract
Research in second language acquisition has long posited that learners’ individual differences affect ultimate attainment. This chapter reviews studies that examine how learners with differing cognitive aptitudes respond to instructional treatments. Most of these studies showed significant aptitude-by-treatment interactions (ATI), which suggest that the effectiveness of a particular type of instruction depends on stable, cognitive abilities, such as language analysis or working memory. From our review of this literature, we conclude that, although some interactions have been shown, there is still limited work using a rigorous ATI matched/mis-matched design. We therefore assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing ATI studies, as well as their practical implications, as it is our hope that future research will incorporate the necessary design elements to probe how tailoring instruction to individual cognitive aptitudes affects second language learning.
Abstract
Research in second language acquisition has long posited that learners’ individual differences affect ultimate attainment. This chapter reviews studies that examine how learners with differing cognitive aptitudes respond to instructional treatments. Most of these studies showed significant aptitude-by-treatment interactions (ATI), which suggest that the effectiveness of a particular type of instruction depends on stable, cognitive abilities, such as language analysis or working memory. From our review of this literature, we conclude that, although some interactions have been shown, there is still limited work using a rigorous ATI matched/mis-matched design. We therefore assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing ATI studies, as well as their practical implications, as it is our hope that future research will incorporate the necessary design elements to probe how tailoring instruction to individual cognitive aptitudes affects second language learning.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Introduction and overview ix
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Part I. Age differences and maturational constraints
- Maturational constraints on child and adult SLA 3
- Maturational constraints on lexical acquisition in a second language 43
- Age of acquisition effects or effects of bilingualism in second language ultimate attainment? 69
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Part II. Aptitude constructs and measures
- Cognitive aptitudes for second language learning and the LLAMA Language Aptitude Test 105
- New conceptualizations of language aptitude in second language attainment 131
- Optimizing post-critical-period language learning 153
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Part III. Age, aptitude and ultimate attainment
- Reexamining the robustness of aptitude in second language acquisition 179
- Memory-based aptitude for nativelike selection 205
- High-level proficiency in late L2 acquisition 231
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Part IV. Implications for educational policy and language teaching
- Some implications of research findings on sensitive periods in language learning for educational policy and practice 259
- Aptitude-treatment interaction studies in second language acquisition 273
- Subject index 293
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Introduction and overview ix
-
Part I. Age differences and maturational constraints
- Maturational constraints on child and adult SLA 3
- Maturational constraints on lexical acquisition in a second language 43
- Age of acquisition effects or effects of bilingualism in second language ultimate attainment? 69
-
Part II. Aptitude constructs and measures
- Cognitive aptitudes for second language learning and the LLAMA Language Aptitude Test 105
- New conceptualizations of language aptitude in second language attainment 131
- Optimizing post-critical-period language learning 153
-
Part III. Age, aptitude and ultimate attainment
- Reexamining the robustness of aptitude in second language acquisition 179
- Memory-based aptitude for nativelike selection 205
- High-level proficiency in late L2 acquisition 231
-
Part IV. Implications for educational policy and language teaching
- Some implications of research findings on sensitive periods in language learning for educational policy and practice 259
- Aptitude-treatment interaction studies in second language acquisition 273
- Subject index 293
