Language abilities

Through the decades, prediction models concerned with foreign language learning abilities have taken into accounts variables such as: general intellectual abilities, affective factors (e.g., anxiety, motivation and self-concept), personality traits (e.g., a competitive temperament versus a cooperative / interactive style), learning styles (e.g., visual, verbal, auditory, kinaesthetic and multisensory memory techniques, as well as use of self-reward strategies), and demographic elements (e.g., gender and age). However, recent research (Spark et al., 2006) has shown that learners’ best predictors of modern / foreign language proficiency (both in reading and writing) are literacy measures in their native language, while aptitude for foreign language learning can be estimated on the basis of learners' phonological processing skills and general verbal intelligence.

At Dyslexia Learning and Development, we use tools that measure phonological processing skills, as well as general and specific memory functions, such as verbal and non-verbal memory, sequential memory, and attention and concentration abilities. These tools enable us to: predict aptitude for modern / foreign language learning; establish overall level of underlying learning abilities and memory skills; and identify learners’ cognitive strengths and preferred learning styles (Dörnyei, 2005).

So, if you contact us and decide to have your modern / foreign language aptitude tested, through this assessment / evaluation process, you may realise that you are better at assimilating information kinaesthetically and visually rather than through the sense of hearing, for instance. On the other hand, you may discover that you are better at verbal rather than practical tasks.

On the basis of your test results and assessment observations, we shall then provide some guidance on how to enhance your foreign language learning potential, and learning strategies in general. Furthermore, knowing how you perform on this type of tests, thus becoming aware of your learning potential, can improve your self-esteem.

If you would like to know whether you have an aptitude for modern / foreign language learning, or maybe you would like to investigate your overall level of underlying ability and memory skills, please contact us. We shall be delighted to hear from you and talk to you through the language learning and evaluation process.