Constructional complexity as a predictor of Korean EFL learners’ writing proficiency

• Hyunwoo Kim ^[1] ; Gyu-Ho Shin ^[2] ; Min-Chang Sung ^[3]
  1. [1] Yonsei University
  2. [2] Palacký University Olomouc
  3. [3] Gyeongin National University of Education

  Mostrar afiliaciones +
• Localización: Revista española de lingüística aplicada, ISSN 0213-2028, Vol. 36, no. 2, 2023, págs. 436-466
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Based on usage-based constructionist approaches to language development, this study investigates the validity of constructional complexity as a predictor of writing proficiency of Korean EFL learners. We analyzed argumentative essays produced by Korean EFL learners and compared a prediction model that uses English argument structure constructions with a conventional T-unit-based model. We first tested the predictive power of a discriminant function model with argument structure constructions as predictors for assessing writing proficiency of lower- and higher-level learners. We then compared the construction-based model to another model that included T-unit measures as predictors. The results validated the contribution of argument structure constructions for predicting L2 writing proficiency: The construction-based model yielded higher prediction accuracy than the T-unit-based model did, confirming that constructional complexity is closely aligned with writing proficiency. These findings demonstrate the significance of a construction-based model as a reliable tool for diagnosing EFL learners’ writing proficiency.