Language Aptitude Theory and Practice (Cambridge Applied Linguistics)

The last few years have witnessed exponential growth in research output within the field of language aptitude. With contributions from an international team of leading experts, this volume provides the most comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date overview of developments in language aptitude theory and practice. It addresses central and newly emerging methodological and theoretical issues, and revisits and re-examines the most popular language aptitude tests, including the most durable and innovative batteries. It also provides in-depth demonstrations of language aptitude research paradigms, including well-established and emerging ones, scrutinizing them from multidisciplinary perspectives. Aptitude treatment interactions studies are reported and discussed, and pedagogical implications are provided, to illuminate theory construction, test development, policymaking, curriculum design and classroom practice. Seamlessly integrating theory, research, assessment and practice, it is essential reading for anyone seeking to learn more about language learning, training and teaching, and will further advance the research in this exciting, fast-paced field.

Zhisheng (Edward) Wen is a Full Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of English Language and Literature at the Hong Kong ShueYan University. He has 20 years of tertiary-level teaching and research experience in applied linguistics, second language acquisition (SLA) and translation studies, with world recognized expertise and publications in working memory and language aptitude research.

Peter Skehan is Research Fellow at Institute of Education, University College London (UCL). He is interested in second language acquisition, foreign language aptitude and language testing, and is a recipient of the International Association of Task-Based Language Teaching Distinguished Achievement award and the Samuel J. Messick Memorial Lecture Award.

Richard L. Sparks is Professor Emeritus in Mount St. Joseph University's Department of Graduate Education. His research interests and expertise include foreign language learning; reading, learning, and language disabilities; and language aptitude. He has published extensively in foreign language, learning disability, reading, and psychology journals.