Many studies in differential psychology and psycholinguistics conclude that certain cognitive abilities, namely fluid and crystallized intelligence, short-term memory capacity and working memory capacity, seem to be the most important predictors of individual differences in language achievements (Kormos, Sáfár, 2008; Robinson, 2001). However, some recent empirical findings demonstrate that facilitative effects of cognitive abilities appear to lessen with increasing L2 proficiency (Serafini, Sanz, 2015). Thus, the interactions between individual differences in foreign language aptitude and cognitive abilities need to be further examined. This study was carried out taking the above mentioned into account.
Within the sample of 205 L2 English learners (L1 Russian) verbal reasoning abilities, abstract reasoning skills, working memory capacity and short-term memory capacity were measured by verbal scales of Intelligence structure test, Raven’s Progressive Matrices, N-back test and Corsi-block test, respectively. The ‘Language Aptitude test’ adapted from Modern Language Admissions Tests (administered by the University of Oxford, 2014) was used for measurement of foreign language aptitude. This test includes two scales to estimate the ability to translate from the invented language Z and the ability to explicate its rules.
To analyze the relations of cognitive abilities and foreign language aptitude the hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis was applied. The three-factor model showed a suitable fit to empirical data (χ² = 9,374; p = .928; GFI = .959; AGFI = .914; CFI = 1,000; RMSEA = .000). According to the model the latent factor of foreign language aptitude which was formed by two scales of Language Aptitude test showed strong positive correlations with the factor of fluid intelligence loaded by abstract reasoning skills, working and short-term memory capacity measures (r = .52, p = 0.05), and the factor of crystallized intelligence loaded by three verbal subtests (r = .67, p = 0.03).
Further we compared the correlations of cognitive abilities and foreign language aptitude in three sub-groups with low, middle and high level of Language Aptitude test performance. Robust relationships between working memory capacity, verbal and abstract reasoning abilities, on one hand, and foreign language aptitude, on the other, were revealed only in low and middle level groups. As for the high level group, only verbal reasoning ability retained to be positively correlated with one parameter of Language aptitude test (rules explication scale).
We discuss our findings in terms of contemporary approaches to understanding of differential impact of certain cognitive factors on foreign language aptitude. Our empirical data allows to presume that it is crystallized intelligence that shows stronger influence on variance in foreign language achievements. Abstract reasoning skills, working memory capacity, short-term memory capacity appeared to contribute less to foreign language attainments at the high level of their development.
This research was supported by the “Grant of President of RF for young PhD scientists” (the contract № is 14.Z56.17.2980-MK).
