ERIC Number: EJ757998
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 14
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-2194
EISSN: N/A
Is There a "Disability" for Learning a Foreign Language?
Sparks, Richard L.
Journal of Learning Disabilities, v39 n6 p544-557 Nov-Dec 2006
Recently, talk of a new type of learning disability (LD)--a foreign language learning disability, or FLLD--has made its way into the LD and foreign language (FL) literature. However, no empirical evidence has been published to support the concept of a "disability" for FL learning by those professionals who use the term. In this article, the author takes the position that there is not a distinct "disability" that can be called an FLLD. He reviews several years of research evidence indicating that any proposal for such a distinct entity is problematic. To support his position, he reviews problems with the current definition and diagnostic criteria for LD. He then cites the many difficulties inherent in the development and use of (a) a logically consistent, easily operationalized, and empirically valid definition of and (b) diagnostic criteria for the FLLD concept. The author then discusses how FL learning problems occur along a continuum of very strong to very poor language learners, and he explains how the proponents of an FLLD misuse the concept of FL aptitude. Finally, the author cites implications resulting from the research evidence on FL learning problems and use of the term FLLD.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Second Languages, Learning Problems, Learning Disabilities, Evaluation Criteria, Educational Research, Language Research, Language Aptitude
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A