| Is there a "disability" for learning a foreign language? | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17165621 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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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. |
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Authors:
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Richard L Sparks |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of learning disabilities Volume: 39 ISSN: 0022-2194 ISO Abbreviation: J Learn Disabil Publication Date: 2006 Nov-Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2006-12-14 Completed Date: 2007-01-23 Revised Date: 2009-11-11 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0157312 Medline TA: J Learn Disabil Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 544-57 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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College of Mt. St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH 45233, USA. richard_sparks@mail.msj.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Achievement* Educational Measurement Humans Verbal Learning* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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