Title of article :
Pinpointing the classifiers of English language writing ability: A discriminant function analysis approach
Author/Authors :
Pishghadam, Reza Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran , Shams, Mohammad Ali Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
Abstract :
The major aim of this paper was to investigate the validity of language and
intelligence factors for classifying Iranian English learners` writing performance.
Iranian participants of the study took three tests for grammar, breadth, and depth of
vocabulary, and two tests for verbal and narrative intelligence. They also produced a
corpus of argumentative writings in answer to IELTS specimen. Several runs of
discriminant function analyses were used to examine the classifying power of the five
variables for discriminating between low and high ability L2 writers. The results
revealed that among language factors, depth of vocabulary (collocational knowledge)
produces the best discriminant function. In general, narrative intelligence was found
to be the most reliable predictor for membership in low or high groups. It was also
found that, among the five sub-abilities of narrative intelligence, emplotment carries
the highest classifying value. Finally, the applications and implications of the results
for second language researchers, cognitive scientists, and applied linguists were
discussed
Keywords :
L2 writing , narrative intelligence , depth and breadth of vocabulary , Grammar , verbal intelligence , Discriminant function analysis
Journal title :
Astroparticle Physics