This study examined the influence of first language (L1) orthographic experiences on decoding and semantic information retention of new words in a second language (L2). Hypotheses were that congruity in L1 and L2 orthographic experiences determines L2 decoding efficiency, which, in turn, affects semantic information encoding and retention.…

This study examined two competing hypotheses about second language reading processes: the inhibition hypothesis and the compensation hypothesis. Although the ideas expressed in these hypotheses have been reiterated in the literature, previous to this study, they had seldom been investigated systematically. The inhibition hypothesis states that in…

The objective of this investigation was to examine the influence of self-efficacy and other motivational self-beliefs on the achievement of college intermediate French students (N= 303). Self-efficacy for self-regulation was a stronger predictor of intermediate French language achievement than were self-efficacy to obtain grades in French, French…

Studies investigating the possible effects of age at immigration (a proxy for age at onset of second language learning) on second language acquisition among immigrants often explicitly take the effect of length of residence in the destination country (a measure of exposure to opportunities to learn the second language) into account. A third…

Understanding the neural representation and control of language in normal bilingual speakers provides insights into the factors that constrain the acquisition of another language, insights into the nature of language expertise, and an understanding of the brain as an adaptive system. We illustrate both functional and structural brain changes…

Challenges the claim that adult second language acquisition is characteristically different, cognitively, from that of child first or second language acquisition. (PMP)

Presents an analysis of the tense marking of 16 Vietnamese speakers learning English as a second language, which shows there are a number of surface-level constraints that systematically affect the incidence of tense marking, including the distinction between regular and irregular verbs and the shape of the suffix on the regular verb. (SED)

Addresses the issues of whether test scores are affected by the prior availability of the items on a test. Concludes that, while disclosing items significantly affects test scores, the magnitude of the disclosure effect drecreases with an increase in the size of the disclosed pool. (EKN)

Compares second language acquisition in formal classroom and naturalistic settings. The results suggest that different conditions of exposure to a second language do not significantly alter the accuracy order in which grammatical morphemes are produced. However, as reflected in production errors, different conditions affect learners' hypotheses…

Discusses research on the acquisition of dative structures in English by second language learners, which provides support for the theory of markedness. Also discusses the theoretical implications of markedness regarding learnability of the complement structures of alternative and nonalternating dative verbs. (EKN)

Critique of Crothers and Suppes' Experiments in Second Language Learning,'' New York: Academic Press, 1967. Revised version of lecture presented to the Applied Linguistics section of the Modern Language Association, New York, New York, December 1970. (RS)

It is argued that if theoretical goals are formulated to account for language learnability, a different markedness construct than the linguistic and psycholinguistic constructs usually applied is necessary--the projection model. The theoretical considerations for such a model are delineated, and the model is tested. (MSE)

Examines the central characteristics of interlanguages that distinguish them from all other natural language systems. It is proposed that, since permeability presupposes an interlanguage norm which is relatively stable, we are forced to gather enough data to establish the overall level of linguistic competence of the learner. (Author/POP)

Reports on an investigation of listening strategy applications by Grade 7 students learning French. Examines types of strategies used and differences in strategy use by more skilled and less skilled listeners while they listen to authentic texts in French. (Author/VWL)

Reviews processing (PI) instruction, outlines a model of input processing, describes the nature of PI, and discusses research on it to date. (Author/VWL)