A Theory‐Based Approach to the Measurement of Foreign Language Learning Ability: The Canal‐F Theory and Test

This article presents a rationale, description, and partial construct validation of a new theory of foreign language aptitude: CANAL‐F—Cognitive Ability for Novelty in Acquisition of Language (Foreign). The theory was applied and implemented in a test of foreign language aptitude (CANAL‐FT). Three unique features differentiate the new test from many existing tests of FL aptitude. The CANAL‐FT is grounded in cognitive theory, dynamic rather than static, and simulation‐based. This article outlines the CANAL‐F theory and details of its instrumentation through the test (CANAL‐FT), discusses the psychometric properties of the CANAL‐FT, and presents the first construct‐validation data on the theory and test.