Investigating the Rate of Foreign Language Attrition: The Case of Grammar

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the rate of attrition in an EFL component in terms of grammar. The second aim of this was to find out and compare language attrition rate in different levels and sections of young adult Iranian learners while continuing their studies. To this end, three achievement tests (three grammar multiple choice tests) were utilized as the instruments in this study. Each test included forty items and four parts. 116 EFL learners were selected from the highest levels of the three sections of Run, Race and Reach: 39 participants from Run4 level (20 males and 19 females), 39 participants from Race4 level (19 males and 20 females), and 38 participants from Reach4 level (18 males and 20 females). The results of the repeated measure ANOVA indicated that learners experienced significant grammar attrition in Reach section. The results also revealed that different levels of Run, Race and Reach (with grammar attrition) sections were significantly different in terms of mean scores.