The Role of Field Independence in Foreign Language Instruction

1984 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Robert M. De Keyser
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Method ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Field Independence ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
Treatment Interaction ◽  
Aptitude Treatment Interaction ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Interaction Research

Abstract Based on the educational implications of field (in)dependence as described by Witkin et al. (1977), a series of hypotheses are formulated concerning the role of FI in L2-learning with different methods. Most existing L2-research, in contrast, has studied FI, usually assessed with the EFT, as an aptitude for learning with any particular teaching method, and has yielded somewhat inconsistent results, with a tendency to mild positive correlations between FI and L2-achievement. It is argued that FI in L2-learning should be viewed in the aptitude-treatment interaction paradigm and a series of suggestions are made concerning the assessment of FI as well as the design and the outcome measures for such interaction research.

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