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Aptitude-Treatment Interaction in Second Language Learning
Edited by Robert M. DeKeyser
[Benjamins Current Topics 116] 2021
► pp. 5–31

Individualization of practice distribution in second language grammar learning

The role of metalinguistic rule rehearsal ability and working memory capacity

| Kanagawa University

The aim of the present study was establishing to what extent individual differences in cognitive aptitudes were associated with second language (L2) morphological acquisition under different practice distribution. Sixty participants studied morphological rules of a novel miniature-language system in order to use them for oral production. They engaged in four training sessions in either shorter-spaced learning (twice a week) or longer-spaced learning conditions (once a week). Their oral production performance both during and after the training was related to their metalinguistic rule rehearsal ability (MRRA) and working memory capacity (WMC). Multiple regression analyses revealed that MRRA predicted learners’ training and posttest performance mainly under the longer-spaced condition, while WMC played a limited role at best under both learning conditions. These results suggest that practice distribution may be individualized based on learners’ aptitude strengths to optimize L2 morphological learning.

Keywords: aptitude-treatment interaction, aptitude complex, metalinguistic rule rehearsal ability, working memory, practice distribution, grammar learning, oral production
Article outline
  • The effects of shorter-spaced and longer-spaced learning
  • Aptitude complexes and L2 grammar learning
  • Aptitude complex for different L2 learning stages
  • The present study
  • Methods
    • Participants
    • Instruments
      • Target structures
      • Assessment tests
        • Rule-application test
        • PP test
      • Aptitude tests
        • LLAMA-F
        • Ospan tasks
        • LLAMA-B
        • LABJ-PA
  • Research design and procedure
  • Training procedure
  • Data analysis
  • Results
    • Descriptive statistics
      • Assessment tests
      • Aptitude tests
  • Multiple regression analysis
  • Discussion
    • Aptitude-treatment interaction patterns: Roles of MRRA and WMC
    • Contribution of MRRA over the course of learning
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
  • Appendix
  • Appendix
Published online: 21 April 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/bct.116.02suz
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