Multi-componential models of L2 listening

Abstract

This study examined four hypothesized listening models that would represent underlying structures of thirteen listening ability variables derived from a TOEFL listening test (N = 450). Model 1 posited a single factor structure; Model 2 a two-factor structure of short and long textual length; Model 3 a three-factor structure of one language attribute and two types of comprehension; and Model 4 a four-factor structure of two types of language knowledge in addition to the two comprehension factors of Model 3. Using LISREL confirmatory factor analyses, the study compared the overall model fit indices of Chi-Square (c2 M) Test, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Root Mean Square Residuals (RMSR) and concluded that Model 4 was the best fit model of listening. The selected model was well explicable within the framework of cognitive models of language ability and other theoretical descriptions of language and comprehension.