Correlating Aptitude with Oral Proficiency: A Quantitative Study of DLAB and OPI Scores across Four Language Categories

Autor/in	Santizo, Isabelle Poupard
Titel	Correlating Aptitude with Oral Proficiency: A Quantitative Study of DLAB and OPI Scores across Four Language Categories
Quelle	In: Applied Language Learning, 27 (2017) 1-2, S.73-96 (24 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1041-679X
Schlagwörter	Correlation; Language Aptitude; Language Proficiency; French; Tagalog; Oral Language; Second Language Learning; Statistical Analysis; Second Language Instruction; Language Classification; Difficulty Level; Indonesian; Semitic Languages; Language Variation; Language Tests; Scores; Test Reliability; Hypothesis Testing; Military Personnel; California; ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Korrelation; Sprachbegabung; Spracheignung; Language skill; Language skills; Sprachkompetenz; Französisch; Oral interpretation; Mündlicher Sprachgebrauch; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Statistische Analyse; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Sprachtypologie; Schwierigkeitsgrad; Arabisch; Hebräisch; Sprachenvielfalt; Language test; Sprachtest; Testreliabilität; Hypothesenprüfung; Hypothesentest; Kalifornien
Abstract	This quantitative study focuses on the relationship between foreign language learners' aptitude and proficiency test scores. Four groups of 136 beginning students received six months of Initial Acquisition Training (IAT) in four different language categories, according to the level of complexity for an English speaker: French (Category I), Indonesian (Category II), Tagalog (Category III), and Arabic (Category IV). This study attempts to identify variations within the correlation among those four languages by analyzing the relationships between aptitude and proficiency scores from each category. The data gathered consisted of students' Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) test scores. Results showed that the correlation between DLAB and OPI was moderate amongst French and Tagalog languages, the correlation with respect to Indonesian was almost nonexistent, and null for Arabic. The complexity of the foreign language categorization process, tests' reliability issues, and a fixed course length regardless of language category are some factors that could have contributed to the calculation of different correlation coefficients. Further studies based on experimental research are recommended to help substantiate causality to the findings derived from this study. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center. Academic Journals, 1759 Lewis Road Suite 142, Presidio of Monterey, Monterey, CA 93944-5006. Tel: 831-242-5638; Fax: 831-242-5850; e-mail: aj@pom-emh1.army.mil; Website: http://www.dliflc.edu/#homepage-tab\|3
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01