The Effect of Aptitude on Iranian EFL Learners' Vocabulary, Grammar, and Listening Comprehension Scores

It can be claimed that language aptitude plays a pivotal role in language acquisition. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of aptitude on Iranian EFL Learners' Vocabulary, Grammar, and Listening Comprehension Scores. To this end, a descriptive correlational design was used and ۵۰ pre-intermediate Iranian EFL students (۲۵ females and ۲۵ males) were selected. Firstly, students' level of English Language proficiency was determined by employing the preliminary English Test. Secondly, the Language Learning and Multilingual Aptitude Test (LLAMA) was utilized to identify learners' aptitude levels, and finally, participants took an achievement test based on their textbook. Then, the obtained data were summarized and analyzed using SPSS Version ۲۴. The findings showed that there was a significant correlation between EFL learners' aptitude and their vocabulary and listening scores. In fact, LLAMA aptitude test's components could predict ۴% of variance in vocabulary scores and ۳% of variance in listening scores of the participants. However, the relationship between aptitude and grammar skill was rather negative and weak as LLAMA aptitude test's components could predict merely ۱% of variance in grammar scores of the participants. In the main, LLAMA aptitude test's components accounted for ۴% of variance in Iranian EFL learners' achievement scores. The findings can contribute to EFL learners and instructors providing a clear insight into the concepts of aptitude and its relationships with foreign language skills. Suggestions for further studies were also discussed.

کلیدواژه ها:

LLAMA Aptitude Tests ، Achievement Scores ، Grammar Performance ، EFL Learners ، Listening Comprehension Scores ، Vocabulary Learning