Discussion

What is a successful language learner？The answers of the interviewees are generally similar.They focus on the right thing—communicative elements and cultural background instead of old standard—high score in exams.Since the ultimate goal for mastering a language is communication，I suppose interviewees'ideas are correct.Q2（See Questionnaire）and Q3 can be discussed together.Most interviewees did not refer to the characteristics in Q9，but they still offer some new ideas.Those common senses are acceptable.But in doing researches，the definition and measurement of variables like“willing to make mistakes”is hard to make.

I choose four individual differences to discuss in the report.They are intelligence，learning styles，personality（extroverted or introverted，anxiety）and age of acquisition.

Research finding tells us that“intelligence，especially measured by verbal IQ tests，and may be a strong factor when it comes to learning that involves language analysis and rule learning.On the other hand，intelligence may play a less important role in language learning that focuses more on communication and interaction.It is important to keep in mind that“intelligence”is complex and that a person has many kinds of abilities and strengths.”As a result，intelligence just account for language analysis and rule learning，so simply regarding high IQ is the only key factor in language learning is needed to be changed.The theory of right-brain and left-brain dominance can explain why students major in science cannot do well in English.

Interviewees offer some learning styles they think are good for language learners，but actually there is no particular teaching or learning method that can suit the needs of all learners.In my opinion，most learning style they offer are good and acceptable and easily to be applied in our life.They are“fashionable”learning styles and also the common senses in this era because some people use that kinds of ways and succeed in the end.I tend to agree with them but it is hard to make a certain decision whether they are exactly helpful or not on research fields.

Personality is divided into two questions.One is about extroverted or introverted，another is about anxiety.In first question，the research does not always support the conclusion which is held by most interviewees.“Some studies have found that learners'success in language learning is associated with extroversion such as assertiveness and adventurousness，while others have found that many successful language learners do not get high scores on measures of extroversion.Lily Wong-Fillmore（1979）found that，in certain learning situations，the quiet observant learner may have great success.”In the second question，research finds that anxiety can play an important role in L2 learning if it interferes with the learning process.It has been argued that not all anxiety is negative and that is a certain amount of tension can have a positive effect and even facilitate learning.As a result，most common senses for this question are acceptable and right.

Age of L2A is a complex and controversial issue.Someone who supports CPH（critical period hypothesis）will think that the younger，the better.Some people share the perspective that older learners will lose the chances to get access to the same quantity and quality of language input that children receive in play setting.However，others hold the opinion that when children's native language remains the primary language，it may be more efficient to begin L2 or FL learning later（e.g.，in early adolescence—at age 10，11，or 12）.And older learners may be able to take less time to catch up with those who began earlier.The opportunities for learning（both inside and outside the classroom），the motivation to learn，and individual differences in intelligence，aptitude，personality，and learning styles have also been found to be important determining factors that affect both rate of learning and eventual success in learning the L2.