ERIC Number: EJ1185847
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-4632
EISSN: N/A
The Effect of Third Language Learning on Language Aptitude among English-Major Students in China
Ma, Dongmei; Yao, Tian; Zhang, Haomin
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, v39 n7 p590-601 2018
Based on the dynamic and emerging nature of language aptitude, the paper reports an empirical study investigating the relationship between multilingual learning experiences and language aptitude through comparative analyses of language aptitude between second language (L2) and third language (L3) learners. Eighty-seven Chinese students who majored in English participated in this study. Among them, 41 participants were L2 English learners without additional foreign language learning experiences and 46 participants were L2 English learners with additional French or Japanese learning experiences. The findings showed that L3 learners outperformed L2 learners on the language aptitude measure and significant differences were found on explicit language analytical abilities. Furthermore, within-group analyses of the L3 learners found that L3 Japanese learners performed better on the vocabulary learning task and cross-linguistic similarities may help to interpret the finding. Further investigations of students' perceived language interaction indicated that students' perceptions of cross-linguistic interaction were consistent with the hypothesised interaction. Future research directions are also discussed in accordance with the current research findings.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Second Language Learning, Multilingualism, Language Aptitude, English (Second Language), French, Japanese, Intercultural Communication, Language Tests, Aptitude Tests, Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A