Is There a "Disability" for Learning a Foreign Language?

Autor/in	Sparks, Richard L.
Titel	Is There a "Disability" for Learning a Foreign Language?
Quelle	In: Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39 (2006) 6, S.544-557 (14 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-2194
Schlagwörter	Stellungnahme; Second Language Learning; Second Languages; Learning Problems; Learning Disabilities; Evaluation Criteria; Educational Research; Language Research; Language Aptitude + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Zweitsprachenerwerb; Second language; Zweitsprache; Lernproblem; Learning handicap; Lernbehinderung; Bildungsforschung; Pädagogische Forschung; Sprachforschung; Sprachbegabung; Spracheignung
Abstract	Recently, talk of a new type of learning disability (LD)--a foreign language learning disability, or FLLD--has made its way into the LD and foreign language (FL) literature. However, no empirical evidence has been published to support the concept of a "disability" for FL learning by those professionals who use the term. In this article, the author takes the position that there is not a distinct "disability" that can be called an FLLD. He reviews several years of research evidence indicating that any proposal for such a distinct entity is problematic. To support his position, he reviews problems with the current definition and diagnostic criteria for LD. He then cites the many difficulties inherent in the development and use of (a) a logically consistent, easily operationalized, and empirically valid definition of and (b) diagnostic criteria for the FLLD concept. The author then discusses how FL learning problems occur along a continuum of very strong to very poor language learners, and he explains how the proponents of an FLLD misuse the concept of FL aptitude. Finally, the author cites implications resulting from the research evidence on FL learning problems and use of the term FLLD. (Author).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10