Differential effects of metalinguistic awareness components in early foreign language acquisition of English vocabulary and grammar

Metalinguistic awareness (MLA) is a predictor of adult foreign language (FL) learning in instructed settings. Following Bialystok and Ryan (1985 Bialystok, E., & Ryan, E. (1985). Toward definition metalinguistic skill. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 31(3), 13–32. [Google Scholar]) two-component model MLA, we distinguish ML analysis as the ability to compare select items from control detect manipulate rule-based linguistic patterns. So far, there little evidence how components MLA interact, they affect outcomes early FL learning. In this paper, investigate effects on English primary school, where mostly oral proficiency target still rudimentary. We tested 200 students German public schools vocabulary grammar. (ML) was assessed an interview, while operationalized phoneme manipulation letter fluency tasks. addition, personal, cognitive, social covariates. Results linear mixed regression analyses indicate that (a) predicts skills, (b) fosters outcomes, (c) benefits grammar skills. discuss theoretical practical implications.