Individual Differences in L2 Acquisition

Individual Differences in L2 Acquisition

Language Aptitude

•      People differ in the extent to which they process a natural ability for learning an L2.

•      It is believed to be in part related to general intelligence but also to be in part distinct

•      John Carroll led to the identification of a number of components of language aptitude

•      There are four components of Language Aptitude. Those are

a.         Phonemic coding ability

The ability to identify the sounds of a foreign language so that they can be remembered later

b.        Grammatical sensitivity

The ability to recognize the grammatical functions of words in sentences

c.          Inductive language learning ability

The ability to identify patterns of correspondence and relations between form and meaning

d.        Rote learning ability

The ability to form and remember associations between stimuli.

Motivation

•      It involves the attitudes and affective states that influence the degree of effort that learners make to learn an L2.

•      It can result from learning as well as cause it.

•      It is dynamic in nature; it is not something that varies from one moment to the next depending on the learning context or task.

•      There are some kinds of motivation. Those are

a.         Instrumental motivation

It includes some functional reason – to pass an examination, to get a better job, or to get a place at university. In some learning contexts, it seems to be the major force determining success in L2 learning.

b.        Integrative motivation

It includes interest in the people and culture represented by the target language. In some learning contexts, it does not seems to be important.

c.         Resultative motivation

It is as the result of learning. Learners who experience success in learning may become more, or in some contexts, less motivated to learn.

d.        Intrinsic motivation

It involves the aousal and maintenance of curiosity and can ebb and flow as a result of such factors as learners’ particular interests and the extent to which they feel personally involved in learning activities

Learning Strategies

•      They are the particular approaches or techniques that learners employ to try to learn an L2.

•      They can be behavioral or they can be mental.

•      They are typically problem-oriented.

•      There are some kinds of learning strategies. Those are

a.         Cognitive strategies

Those that are involved in the analysis, synthesis , or transformation of learning materials

b.        Metacognitive strategies

Those that are involved in planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning

c.         Socio / affective strategies

They concern the ways in which learners choose to interact with other speakers.