Individual Differences in Language Education: An International Journal

The book, written by Professor Richard Sparks, showcases his extensive research on language education, psychology, and bilingualism. The volume is a compilation of his influential articles that address key issues in current language education and applied linguistics. The book sheds light on the intricate relationship between bilingual learners’ native language (L1) skills and their foreign or second language (L2) learning. Sparks employs numerous empirical studies, many of which are longitudinal in nature, to underpin his theories. His contributions to applied linguistics and language education are unique and extensive. His insights on language aptitude, couched within his Linguistic Coding Differences Hypothesis (LCDH), have been well thought out, well grounded, and well supported by his own studies and those conducted by other scholars applying the model. The LCDH proposes that people with language impairments struggle with language due to difficulties in processing and manipulating its structure in their minds. This deficit affects their ability to recognize sounds, syllables, words, and understand grammar.