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      Introducing LexTALE: A quick and valid Lexical Test for Advanced Learners of English

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          Abstract

          The increasing number of experimental studies on second language (L2) processing, frequently with English as the L2, calls for a practical and valid measure of English vocabulary knowledge and proficiency. In a large-scale study with Dutch and Korean speakers of L2 English, we tested whether LexTALE, a 5-min vocabulary test, is a valid predictor of English vocabulary knowledge and, possibly, even of general English proficiency. Furthermore, the validity of LexTALE was compared with that of self-ratings of proficiency, a measure frequently used by L2 researchers. The results showed the following in both speaker groups: (1) LexTALE was a good predictor of English vocabulary knowledge; 2) it also correlated substantially with a measure of general English proficiency; and 3) LexTALE was generally superior to self-ratings in its predictions. LexTALE, but not self-ratings, also correlated highly with previous experimental data on two word recognition paradigms. The test can be carried out on or downloaded from www.lextale.com.

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          Neural aspects of second language representation and language control.

          A basic issue in the neurosciences of language is whether an L2 can be processed through the same neural mechanism underlying L1 acquisition and processing. In the present paper I review data from functional neuroimaging studies focusing on grammatical and lexico-semantic processing in bilinguals. The available evidence indicates that the L2 seems to be acquired through the same neural structures responsible for L1 acquisition. This fact is also observed for grammar acquisition in late L2 learners contrary to what one may expect from critical period accounts. However, neural differences for an L2 may be observed, in terms of more extended activity of the neural system mediating L1 processing. These differences may disappear once a more 'native-like' proficiency is established, reflecting a change in language processing mechanisms: from controlled processing for a weak L2 system (i.e., a less proficient L2) to more automatic processing. The neuroimaging data reviewed in this paper also support the notion that language control is a crucial aspect specific to the bilingual language system. The activity of brain areas related to cognitive control during the processing of a 'weak' L2 may reflect competition and conflict between languages which may be resolved with the intervention of these areas.
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            The impact of proficiency on syntactic second-language processing of German and Italian: evidence from event-related potentials.

            The present study investigated the role of proficiency in late second-language (L2) processing using comparable stimuli in German and Italian. Both sets of stimuli consisted of simple active sentences including a word category violation, a morphosyntactic agreement violation, or a combination of the two. Four experiments were conducted to study high- and low-proficiency L2 learners of German as well as high- and low-proficiency L2 learners of Italian. High-proficiency L2 learners in both languages showed the same event-related potential (ERP) components as native speakers for all syntactic violations. For the word category violation, they displayed an early anterior negativity (ELAN), an additional negativity reflecting reference-related processes, and a late P600 evidencing processes of reanalysis. For the processing of the morphosyntactic error, an anterior negativity (LAN) and a P600 were observed, whereas for the combined violation, the same ERP components were found as in the pure category violation. In high-proficiency L2 learners, the timing of the processing steps was equivalent to that of native speakers, although some amplitude differences were present. Low-proficiency L2 learners, however, showed qualitative differences in the agreement violation characterized by the absence of the LAN and quantitative differences reflected in a delayed P600 in every violation condition. These findings emphasize that with a high proficiency, late L2 learners can indeed show native-like neural responses with the timing approximating that of native speakers. This challenges the idea that there are fundamental differences in language processing in the brain between natives and late L2 learners.
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              Investigating the Relationship Between Vocabulary Knowledge and Academic Reading Performance: An Assessment Perspective

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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                +31-24-3612630 , +31-24-3616066 , k.lemhofer@donders.ru.nl
                Journal
                Behav Res Methods
                Behav Res Methods
                Behavior Research Methods
                Springer-Verlag (New York )
                1554-351X
                1554-3528
                5 September 2011
                5 September 2011
                June 2012
                : 44
                : 2
                : 325-343
                Affiliations
                [1 ]Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
                [2 ]Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
                [3 ]Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour - Centre for Cognition, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
                Article
                146
                10.3758/s13428-011-0146-0
                3356522
                21898159
                3612bec9-df53-420f-8f42-98c10ce35c76
                © The Author(s) 2011
                History
                Categories
                Article
                Custom metadata
                © Psychonomic Society, Inc. 2012

                Clinical Psychology & Psychiatry
                english vocabulary test,self-ratings of proficiency,second language

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