ERIC Number: EJ741812
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 10
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0015-718X
EISSN: N/A
Should the Modern Language Aptitude Test Be Used to Determine Course Substitutions for and Waivers of the Foreign Language Requirement?
Sparks, Richard L.; Javorsky, James; Ganschow, Leonore
Foreign Language Annals, v38 n2 p201-210 Sum 2005
Colleges and universities often permit students classified as learning disabled (LD) and other students not classified as LD to substitute courses for or waive the foreign language requirement. The Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) has become an increasingly popular assessment tool to determine which students can or cannot pass foreign language courses and to diagnose a "disability" for foreign language learning. However, the use of the MLAT for these purposes has both theoretical and psychometric problems. These problems include misusing the MLAT to diagnose a learning disability or to classify students with a disability for foreign language learning; using a single test score to recommend course substitutions and waivers; using outdated test norms; and misunderstanding of the foreign language aptitude concept. The authors conclude by describing appropriate and inappropriate uses of the MLAT. (Contains 9 notes.)
Descriptors: Language Aptitude, Aptitude Tests, Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Learning Disabilities, Undergraduate Students, Diagnostic Tests, Language Tests, Required Courses
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 700 S. Washington Street Ste. 210, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-894-2900; Fax: 703-894-2905; e-mail: headquarters@actfl.org; Web site: http://www.actfl.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Modern Language Aptitude Test
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A