Predictors of Language Gain During Study Abroad

The following have been shown to predict gains in language during study abroad. These findings are based on studies by Brecht, Davidson and colleagues (1995, 1996) and by Lapkin, Swain and their colleagues (1995).

• Language Aptitude (more aptitiude leads to greater gain)
• Pre-departure reading and grammar (better reader and better grammarians gain more)
• Gender (some studies have shown males to do better, but the reverse may be true in others)
• Age (mixed findings, depending on the study)
• Previous Time Abroad (those who have been abroad before do better)
• Initial Language Proficiency (those with two to three years--a solid foundation--tend to do best).