Measuring ESL learners’ language profiles: An individual differences approach

Measuring ESL learners’ language profiles: An individual differences approach

Presenter: Dr. Aline Godfroid

In this presentation, I give an interim report on a research project designed to chart the English knowledge of English as a Second Language speakers studying at Michigan State University. The specific aims of the project are to develop lab-based language tests that allow researchers and teachers to distinguish two types of linguistic knowledge (explicit and implicit) that differ in their usefulness for everyday communication. I will discuss what the different tests measure and focus specifically on the implicit knowledge tests, as these are key for measuring fluent language use during spontaneous communication. I will also consider the cognitive profiles of students that show a propensity for learning implicitly. Interested individuals will have the opportunity to try out some of the individual differences measures in the second half of the presentation.