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The Construct Validity of Language Aptitude: A Meta-Analysis

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Title: The Construct Validity of Language Aptitude: A Meta-Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Li, Shaofeng
Source: Studies in Second Language Acquisition. Dec 2016 38(4):801-842.
Availability: Cambridge University Press. 100 Brook Hill Drive, West Nyack, NY 10994-2133. Tel: 800-872-7423; Tel: 845-353-7500; Fax: 845-353-4141; e-mail: subscriptions_newyork@cambridge.org; Web site: http://journals.cambridge.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 42
Publication Date: 2016
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Meta Analysis, Construct Validity, Language Skills, Correlation, Second Language Learning, Language Aptitude, Cognitive Ability, Affective Behavior, Motivation, Anxiety, Intelligence, Memory, Phonology, Predictor Variables, Language Proficiency, Vocabulary, Writing Skills, Predictive Validity
DOI: 10.1017/S027226311500042X
ISSN: 0272-2631
Abstract: A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the construct validity of language aptitude by synthesizing the existing research that has been accumulated over the past five decades. The study aimed to provide a thorough understanding of the construct by aggregating the data reported in the primary research on its correlations with other individual difference variables and with second language (L2) achievement. A total of 66 studies were retrieved that contributed effect sizes based on 109 unique samples and 13,035 foreign language learners. The results revealed that (1) aptitude was independent of other cognitive and affective factors: it was distinct from motivation, had a negative correlation with anxiety, and overlapped with, but was distinguishable from, intelligence; (2) executive working memory was more strongly associated with aptitude and aptitude components than phonological short-term memory; (3) aptitude measured using full-length tests was a strong predictor of general L2 proficiency, but it had low predictive validity for vocabulary learning and L2 writing; and (4) different aptitude components demonstrated differential predictive validity for different aspects of learning. The findings are useful for tackling a number of conundrums surrounding language aptitude and shed light on how to reconceptualize the construct and reorient the research.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1120298
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Cambridge University Press. 100 Brook Hill Drive, West Nyack, NY 10994-2133. Tel: 800-872-7423; Tel: 845-353-7500; Fax: 845-353-4141; e-mail: subscriptions_newyork@cambridge.org; Web site: http://journals.cambridge.org
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  Data: A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the construct validity of language aptitude by synthesizing the existing research that has been accumulated over the past five decades. The study aimed to provide a thorough understanding of the construct by aggregating the data reported in the primary research on its correlations with other individual difference variables and with second language (L2) achievement. A total of 66 studies were retrieved that contributed effect sizes based on 109 unique samples and 13,035 foreign language learners. The results revealed that (1) aptitude was independent of other cognitive and affective factors: it was distinct from motivation, had a negative correlation with anxiety, and overlapped with, but was distinguishable from, intelligence; (2) executive working memory was more strongly associated with aptitude and aptitude components than phonological short-term memory; (3) aptitude measured using full-length tests was a strong predictor of general L2 proficiency, but it had low predictive validity for vocabulary learning and L2 writing; and (4) different aptitude components demonstrated differential predictive validity for different aspects of learning. The findings are useful for tackling a number of conundrums surrounding language aptitude and shed light on how to reconceptualize the construct and reorient the research.
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        Value: 10.1017/S027226311500042X
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Construct Validity
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      – SubjectFull: Language Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Predictive Validity
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      – TitleFull: The Construct Validity of Language Aptitude: A Meta-Analysis
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