Although current approaches to second language (L2) pronunciation underscore that instruction should concentrate on pronunciation features that help learners be more intelligible (and not necessarily more native like), there is little empirical evidence as to what those features are, especially in languages other than English. To address this gap,…

This article examines enrollments in languages other than English in United States higher education from the perspective of geographical distribution. While the overall decline in language enrollments is well known, enrollments are also very unequal across states when accounting for population. By cross-referencing MLA language enrollment data…

This article presents selected results from a large-scale, mixed-methods, federally funded investigation of US-based language study-abroad alumni of all ages, which included a nationwide survey (N = 4,899) followed by professional life history interviews with 54 participants. Here, we focus on three questions heretofore unaddressed: (a) How do…

The literature has revealed the impact of personal factors on feedback-seeking behavior (FSB) in second language (L2) writing. However, little is known about how teacher academic support influences FSB in L2 writing and whether this relationship is mediated by L2 writing self (ideal and ought-to L2 writing selves). To address the lacunae, this…

Active communication is an important element of second language (L2) learning, as it contributes to the acquisition of language competence. The prerequisite of L2 use is having the willingness to communicate (WTC). However, previous research tended to conflate WTC and communication behaviour and provided little evidence that WTC and/or…

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that individual differences in declarative memory may be an important predictor of second language (L2) abilities. However, the evidence comes from studies using different declarative memory tasks that vary in their reliance on verbal abilities and task demands, which preclude estimating the size of the…

Few studies aimed to disentangle different aspects of vocabulary depth (VD) knowledge and examine their contribution to second-language (L2) reading comprehension. To fill this gap, this study distinguished between two VD aspects, that is, semantic network knowledge and polysemous knowledge; and tested how they, together with vocabulary size (VS),…

Delving into the existing research on EFL teacher success (TS), the role of EFL teacher concern (TC) in relation to their success, EFL learners' general self-efficacy (GSE), and English self-efficacy (ESE) seems to be overlooked. Thus, the present endeavor attempts to shed light on the potential interrelationships between TC, TS, EFL learners'…

In this study, we investigated how student engagement and disengagement change over the course of a semester in the L2 classroom. We modeled change at the inter- and intra-individual levels, using time-variant predictors to examine differences in student classroom engagement and disengagement trajectories. In addition to these temporal dynamics,…

The adjustment of syntactic and phraseological complexity is a key consideration in text adaptation. However, research on this topic in the context of Chinese as a second language (CSL) remains limited. Using 700 CSL reading texts graded following the newly issued Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education,…

This study investigated English learner profiles and challenges among 884 Korean 5th-grade students, with a focus on the role of AI-assisted language learning in shaping proficiency outcomes. While AI-based interventions have gained popularity, their effectiveness across diverse learner populations remains insufficiently explored. The study aimed…

Despite the proliferation of studies on computer-assisted language learning, scant research attention has been paid to informal digital learning of English (IDLE) and its antecedents. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate whether Iranian EFL learners' L2 grit, digital literacy and self-efficacy contributed to their IDLE. A total of 313…

To achieve efficient reading comprehension, Chinese as a second language (L2) learners adopt various component skills and knowledge, including the aspects of vocabulary, grammar, and coherence. However, there is no consensus regarding the relative predictive powers of these three areas in L2 reading comprehension. Instead of employing direct…

Inaudible syntactic markers are especially difficult to spell. This paper examines how 455 fourth graders spell silent French plural markers in a dictation with real and pseudowords after one year of formal French instruction (L2). The Generalized Linear Mixed Model analysis shows first that noun plural spelling (real and pseudo) is a strong…

According to self-determination theory, the need to experience competence is one of a well-recognized trio of basic psychological needs, alongside the need for autonomy and relatedness. Although often assessed at the activity level, the need for competence is met situationally when learners feel able to understand and affect the world around them.…