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8 - What Are Individual Differences and How Do They Affect L2 Acquisition?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2025

Bill VanPatten
Affiliation:
Independent Scholar
Megan Smith
Affiliation:
Mississippi State University
Alessandro G. Benati
Affiliation:
University of Hong Kong
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Summary

In this chapter we touch on the idea of inter-learner variability in outcome (i.e., how far learners get) as well as rate of acquisition among different learners. We then link these issues to the idea of individual differences as explanatory factors. We focus on the most studied: motivation, aptitude, and working memory.

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Chapter
Information
Key Questions in Second Language Acquisition
An Introduction
, pp. 173 - 194
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

References and Readings

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