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EPILOGUE

EVIDENCE FOR THE VALIDITY OF IMPLICIT APTITUDE AND THE NEED FOR CONSTRUCT VALIDATION

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2021

Robert DeKeyser  and
Shaofeng Li Open the ORCID record for Shaofeng Li [Opens in a new window]
Robert DeKeyser*
Affiliation:
University of Maryland
Shaofeng Li*
Affiliation:
Florida State University
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Shaofeng Li, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida32306. E-mail: sli9@fsu.edu
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Abstract

In this commentary, we summarize the findings of the seven included studies that examined implicit language aptitude from various perspectives and highlight issues to be resolved in the validation of this new construct in second language research. We start by providing an overview of the contributions of the studies. We then identify the lack of convergent validity of the measures of implicit aptitude reported in the included studies and problematize the equally varied nature of the measurement of implicit knowledge—the outcome variable of aptitude research—and related concepts. In particular, by drawing on empirical evidence and theoretical claims, we attempt to clarify the relationships between implicit and explicit knowledge, implicit and explicit learning, and implicit and explicit instruction. Next, we draw attention to the interactions reported by the included studies between aptitude and outcome measures and between aptitude and instruction type, emphasizing the value and importance of interactional research. We conclude by making recommendations for future research.

Type
Critical Commentary
Information
Studies in Second Language Acquisition , Volume 43 , Special Issue 3: Implicit Language Aptitude: Conceptualizing the Construct, Validating the Measures, and Examining the Evidence , July 2021 , pp. 692 - 697
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

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