Young learners’ L2 English after the onset of instruction: longitudinal development of L2 proficiency and the role of individual differences

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Vanessa De Wilde ◽  
Marc Brysbaert ◽  
June Eyckmans
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Internal Variables ◽  
L2 Proficiency ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Out Of School ◽  
Speaking Skills

Abstract In this study we investigated 107 young learners’ L2 English receptive vocabulary knowledge and speaking skills at two points in time, before and after the onset of instruction. We also investigated the role of several individual difference variables: out-of-school exposure to English, length of instruction, analytic reasoning ability, working memory, L1 vocabulary knowledge and prior L2 knowledge. Results show that L2 English proficiency in receptive vocabulary knowledge and speaking skills greatly improved over time and that the effects of schooling and contextual learning are largely additive. The main predictor of the children's proficiency at time 2 was their L2 prior knowledge, which they had acquired through contextual language learning before getting formal education. When considering the other variables that predicted L2 proficiency, the contribution of internal variables (L1 vocabulary size and working memory) was considerably smaller than that of external variables (out-of-school exposure and length of instruction).

FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL L2 LEARNING

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Vanessa De Wilde ◽  
Marc Brysbaert ◽  
June Eyckmans
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Word Frequency ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
And Gender ◽  
French Words ◽  
Out Of School

Abstract A second language can be learned inside and outside the classroom. In this study we investigated the English and French vocabulary knowledge of 110 Dutch-speaking children (age 10–12), who received 100 hours of instruction in French, whereas their contact with English came from out-of-school exposure only. We examined the role of individual differences (out-of-school exposure and gender) and word-related variables (cognateness, frequency, and language). The children completed a receptive vocabulary test in English and French and filled in a questionnaire. The results showed that the children had a larger vocabulary knowledge in English than in French, illustrating the power of contextual language learning. Word learning was influenced by the amount of exposure, word frequency, and cognateness. Additionally, English words were easier to learn than French words for the participants we tested. Our results point to the need for out-of-school exposure to supplement language learning in the classroom.

scholarly journals Learning English through out-of-school exposure. Which levels of language proficiency are attained and which types of input are important?

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa De Wilde ◽  
Marc Brysbaert ◽  
June Eyckmans
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
English Classroom ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Out Of School

AbstractIn this study we examined the level of English proficiency children can obtain through out-of-school exposure in informal contexts prior to English classroom instruction. The second aim was to determine the input types that fuel children's informal language acquisition. Language learning was investigated in 780 Dutch-speaking children (aged 10–12), who were tested on their English receptive vocabulary knowledge, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Information about learner characteristics and out-of-school English exposure was gathered using questionnaires. The results show large language gains for a substantial number of children but also considerable individual differences. The most beneficial types of input were gaming, use of social media and speaking. These input types are interactive and multimodal and they involve language production. We also found that the various language tests largely measure the same proficiency component.

The Role of Input and Scholastic Aptitude in Second Language Development

2011 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolijn Verspoor ◽  
Kees de Bot ◽  
Xiaoyan Xu
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Language Development ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Scholastic Aptitude ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Out Of School

This semi-longitudinal/cross-sectional study explores the role of two possible variables in the L2 development of Dutch high school students: scholastic aptitude (operationalized as CITO score) and the amount of input, both in school (two hours a week versus 15 hours a week) and out of school. First grade participants were followed for two years and third grade students for one year. At the beginning of the study, all students filled in an extensive questionnaire on motivation, attitude, and out-of-school contact and took a proficiency tests consisting of a receptive vocabulary and a productive writing task. At each subsequent measure point, the language proficiency test was repeated. The results show that out-of-school contact with English made a significant contribution to their English proficiency, even with the presence of predictors of CITO score, grade (1 or 3) , instructional group (2 versus 15 hours) and interaction between grade and group. The analysis also revealed a significant effect of aptitude (operationalized as CITO score) on the learners' general English proficiency, revealing that students in both conditions with a higher CITO score have a higher English proficiency level as well. We conclude that in-school input helps: the learners who receive 15 hours a week of English input score significantly higher on the writing scores than the two other groups during and at the end of the third year, even when we take other factors such as initial proficiency level, scholastic aptitude and out-of-school contact into consideration. The data also shows that the CITO score is a strong predictor of language development, even within the narrow bandwidth of about 540-550. However, we need to be careful in interpreting what this means. Perhaps general aptitude only affects the rate of acquisition rather than the ability to become very proficient.

scholarly journals Enhancing Learners’ Academic Performances Using Student Centered Approaches

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (16) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Preeti Jaiswal ◽  
Abdulghani Al-Hattami
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
English Language ◽  
Bloom's Taxonomy ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Bloom’S Taxonomy

Abstract- Contemporary higher education institutions place students at the centre of their thinking and emphasize on student centered approaches to help learners construct knowledge during their learning paths in higher education. The study was guided by Bloom’s taxonomy in designing learning outcomes, incorporating engaging learning activities and assessing learning outcomes. Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives provides a hierarchical classification system that classifies thinking abilities from basic information acquisition to more complex processes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of using the hierarchical instructional set of cognitive processes delineated in Bloom’s taxonomy for boosting learners’ vocabulary competency in English language learning, in higher education. The sample for this study consisted of 39 students (nine males and thirty females) who were studying course entitled English for Business in Department of English Language & Literature, College of Arts, during the academic year 2018-19 at University of Bahrain. The course aims to enhance learners’ language skills to enable them to communicate constructively in various business contexts. The results revealed that Bloom’s learning approach was successful in augmenting learners ’retention and transfer of productive and receptive vocabulary in language learning and conducive for promoting proficiency in English vocabulary knowledge.

The Role of Social-emotional skills among kindergarteners in Foreign Language Learning

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Chalak Ghafoor Raouf ◽  
Ranjdar Hama Sharif
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Emotional Skills ◽  
Young Learners

Nowadays, second language learning among young learners is considered to be one of the main subjects in the field of education around the world. A lot of researches dealt with this subject, and focused on the processes of second language learning among young learners. Researchers were trying to understand and diagnose young language learners’ strengths and weaknesses. They came up with some evidences which show that language aptitude, gender, age, creativity, and motivation are among the elements that make a young student be different from other students. Unlike the other researches, this paper investigated the role of social-emotional skills among young learners in second language learning. It examined the influences of these skills in the process of foreign language learning. For this study a kindergarten was chosen, and 20 children were randomly selected as representatives of the 60 children who applied for an English language course in this kindergarten. Thirteen of the selected children were male learners, while the rest were females, and the age of the participants were between 4-5 years old. At the beginning of the English course a group of socialworkers conducted a pretest to measure the young learners’ social and emotional skills, and after the English course a group of English language teachers conducted the second test to measure the learners’ language proficiency. After the data collection, the finding showed a significant relationship between social-emotional skills and foreign language learning. Those students who showed a high level of social-emotional skills were more active in learning the new language, and passed the test of English proficiency with high degrees, while those students who showed a low level of social-emotional skills couldn’t pass the English proficiency test or passed with low degrees.

Investigating the role of vocabulary size in second language speaking ability

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 540-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takumi Uchihara ◽  
Jon Clenton
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Expert Rating ◽  
L2 Speaking ◽  
Vocabulary Assessment ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

The current study investigates the extent to which receptive vocabulary size test scores can predict second language (L2) speaking ability. Forty-six international students with an advanced level of L2 proficiency completed a receptive vocabulary task (Yes/No test; Meara & Miralpeix, 2017) and a spontaneous speaking task (oral picture narrative). Elicited speech samples were submitted to expert rating based on speakers’ vocabulary features as well as lexical sophistication measures. Results indicate that vocabulary size was significantly associated with vocabulary rating. However, learners with large vocabulary sizes did not necessarily produce lexically sophisticated L2 words during speech. A closer examination of the data reveals complexities regarding the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and speaking. Based on these findings, we explore implications for L2 vocabulary assessment in classroom teaching contexts and provide important suggestions for future research on the vocabulary-and-speaking link.

Young Students' Success and Failure Attributions in Language Learning

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 879-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sehnaz Sahinkarakas
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Causal Attributions ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Specific Focus ◽  
Young Students ◽  
Students Success

The factors that affect young students' successes and failures in learning a foreign language with specific focus on the role of perceived causal attributions were examined. The content of self-assessment papers of 52 young learners studying English was analyzed to investigate the students' success and failure attributions. It was found that both attributions were linked mostly to internal and unstable factors, with listening to the teacher and doing homework being the most significant. The results highlight the importance of language teachers' awareness of their students' attributions.

Effects of working memory on L2 linguistic knowledge and L2 listening comprehension

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Miki Satori
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
L2 Proficiency ◽  
Processing Efficiency ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This paper examined the relationship between working memory (WM) and L2 linguistic knowledge as well as L2 listening comprehension with 150 Japanese EFL learners. The study also investigated the extent to which these relationships vary across L2 proficiency levels. The results in the study were as follows: (a) WM capacity was more strongly associated with L2 listening comprehension, L2 perceptual processing, and L2 syntactic parsing processing in the lower-proficiency group than in the higher-proficiency group; (b) L1 WM capacity still accounted for the unique variance in L2 listening comprehension after adjusting for the L2 language-related variables in the lower-proficiency group. The results suggest that the relationship between WM capacity and L2 listening comprehension may be mediated by L2 proficiency and depend on the domain-general processing efficiency reflecting central executive attention when the listening comprehension task requires conscious attention for less proficient listeners. The findings provide suggestive evidence for variation in the role of WM in L2 listening comprehension across proficiency levels and the significant role of L1 WM capacity in L2 listening comprehension as the general cognitive factor independent of L2 linguistic knowledge for L2 learners with limited linguistic knowledge.

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