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Aptitude for learning a foreign language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2002

Richard Sparks
Affiliation:
College of Mount St. Joseph
Leonore Ganschow
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Psychology, Miami University

Abstract

What has happened with the construct of foreign language aptitude since 1990, at which time symposium participants from around the world agreed that the "Time has come to rethink the notion of what constitutes aptitude to learn foreign languages?" To answer this question, we begin with a review of studies on foreign language aptitude and its measurement prior to 1990. We then describe research and thinking in the 1990s in several areas, including affective variables; language learning strategies; learning styles as contributors to aptitude; and aptitude as a cognitive construct affected by language variables. Next, we review research on individual differences in language learners and the importance of phonological/orthographic processing for foreign language learning. Finally, we suggest new directions for research in foreign language aptitude.

Type
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

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