What factors contribute to the proficiency of young EFL learners in primary school?: assessing the role of CLIL intensity, extramural English, non-verbal intelligence and socioeconomic status

Although multiple factors influence language proficiency in instructed settings, the prevalence of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) research in recent decades has placed intensity of exposure (via CLIL lessons) at center stage, sidelining other variables. This study aims to rectify th...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/53447
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/53447
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:CLIL intensity
Cognitive factors
Extramural English
Non-verbal intelligence
Primary school
Socioeconomic status
Young L2 learners
Descripción
Sumario:Although multiple factors influence language proficiency in instructed settings, the prevalence of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) research in recent decades has placed intensity of exposure (via CLIL lessons) at center stage, sidelining other variables. This study aims to rectify this by examining the impact of CLIL alongside three additional factors: extramural English (EE), socioeconomic status (SES), and non-verbal intelligence (NVI). Specifically, this study analyses the interplay of these variables in the proficiency of 171 young English learners (aged 10-11 years) in Navarre, Spain. The participants were divided into a low-intensity (LI) (n = 54) group and a high-intensity (HI) (n = 117) group depending on exposure to English in school. Results indicate that HI learners are superior in reading, and even more clearly in speaking. EE is very frequent in both groups but more abundant among HI learners, and it shows several positive associations with learners¿ scores. Higher NVI levels positively correlate with all skills in both groups, except for speaking, which appears to be affected by EE and, to a lesser extent, by SES.