Reconceptualizing language aptitude

Reconceptualizing language aptitude

1. "A special talent" for language learning.

   • Defined as a conglomerate of abilities that interact with the situation in which learning takes places.
     • Is not the same as Intelligence
       • Intelligence is a process that includes one aspect of a language aptitude- language analytical ability.

2. Learners who possess these abilities and who are motivated to do this process can improve their level of proficency in a second language.

   • Modern language (MLAT) were used to predict how easily learners would learn a second language

3. Language aptitude includes distinct abilities, it is possible that learners differ in the abilities they are strong in.

   • Skehan (1986) proposed a distinction between analytic- oriented and memory- oriented learners