This study investigated the relationship of first language (L1) skills in elementary school and second language (L2) learning in high school. Students classified as high-, average-, and low-proficiency L2 learners were compared on L1 achievement measures of reading, spelling, vocabulary, phonological awareness, and listening comprehension…

The Linguistic Coding Deficit Hypothesis offers an alternative to affective explanations for second-language learning difficulties and adds another dimension to the role of aptitude. The hypothesis focuses on phonological, syntactic, and semantic components of language and assumes that the individual's control over these components is crucial to…

A discussion of the Linguistic Coding Deficit Hypothesis presents an overview of the theory; describes five prototypes of second-language learners, each illustrated by a distinct language processing profile; and examines how the ability to identify prototypes can help teachers interpret student difficulties and design instruction to address them.…