ERIC Number: EJ1184527
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1041-679X
EISSN: N/A
Second Language Acquisition: Predicting Less Commonly Taught Languages Learning Success
Hughes, Haning
Applied Language Learning, v28 n1 p41-62 2018
Students at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) are required to study a foreign language. In order to place students into appropriate language courses, especially less commonly taught languages defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), effective language placement policies are essential. The author examines the USAFA's current language placement policy, which includes measures for general intelligence and student language choice. Alternative language placement policy models are proposed with an added motivation measurement to the existing instrument. This study employs binary logistic regression to examine the existing language placement policy model and two proposed models, to determine whether a more effective predictor of foreign language learning success can be identified. The placement of the Class of 2017 into Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian language courses was reviewed. The effect of students' academic composite scores, first choice language, and motivation on language placement was assessed. The most effective placement model--categorizing the largest percentage of students into less commonly taught languages and European languages--included a measurement of foreign language motivation and student language choice. The inclusion of the two variables is solidly grounded in current second language acquisition research.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Armed Forces, Student Placement, Second Language Instruction, Regression (Statistics), Uncommonly Taught Languages, Semitic Languages, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Scores, Learning Motivation, Predictor Variables, Educational Policy, Measurement, Language Research, Language Aptitude, Aptitude Tests, Language Tests, Undergraduate Students, Cutting Scores, Grade Point Average, Military Schools
Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center. Academic Journals, 1759 Lewis Road Suite 142, Presidio of Monterey, Monterey, CA 93944-5006. Tel: 831-242-5638; Fax: 831-242-5850; e-mail: aj@pom-emh1.army.mil; Website: http://www.dliflc.edu/#homepage-
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Colorado (Colorado Springs)
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Modern Language Aptitude Test
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A