The relationship between field dependence / field independence and receptive language skills – correlational research results

Anna Jantarska

Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach

Abstract

The following article presents the results of a correlational study, conducted in two age groups on a sample of 198 participants. The researcher analyzed the nature and strength of the relationship between the cognitive style of field dependence / field independence and the students’ performance in English reading and listening tests. Conclusions were drawn on the basis of the correlational diagrams and statistical analyses. Research findings confirm the need of individualized foreign language instruction, and, in particular, of a thorough analysis of learning styles.

Keywords:

foreign language acquisition, individual learner differences, cognitive / learning style, field dependence, field independence, receptive language skills, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, correlational research