Arab World English Journal (AWEJ).Vol.6 No.1, March 2015 Pp. 3-21
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol6no1.1
Aptitude as a Predictor of Second Language Achievement: An Investigation
in the Saudi Arabian Context
Christo Moskovsky
School of Humanities & Social Science,
The University of Newcastle, Australia
Merzin Alshahrani
King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
Silvia Ratcheva
School of Humanities & Social Science
The University of Newcastle, Australia
Stefania Paolini
School of Psychology,
The University of Newcastle, Australia
Abstract
A two-wave longitudinal design was used to examine the extent to which aptitude predicts second language achievement. First-year Saudi university students (N = 56), who were involved in a seven-month intensive English language course as part of their degree, completed Aptitude and English proficiency tests at the start and the end of the treatment period. Univariate and multivariate analyses found moderate relationships between aptitude and second language achievement. Results are discussed for their implications for theory and interventions.
Keywords: L2 aptitude, aptitude testing, aptitude stability, L2 proficiency, MLAT
Cite as: Moskovsky, C., Alshahrani, M., & Paolini, S. (2015). Aptitude as a Predictor of Second Language Achievement: An Investigation in the Saudi Arabian Context. Arab World English Journal, 8 (1).
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol6no1.1